On May 25th, 1979, six-year-old Etan Patz waved goodbye to his mother at his front door in Soho to take the bus by himself to school for the very first time. Etan never made it to school, and President Ronald Reagan named May 25th National Missing Child Day in his honor. Now, 33 years later, police began scouring the basement of a building just two blocks from his home, following a lead that there may be evidence there. Janet Babin, reporter for Takeaway partner WNYC, was at the scene yesterday.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!