article_snippet.sent: Pedro Hernandez photo's appearance on milk cartons after Pedro Hernandez May 1979 disappearance marked an era of heightened awareness of crimes against children.
article_snippet.sent: In the early 1980s, Etan's photo appeared on milk cartons across the United States, and news media focused in on the search for Ramos and other missing children.
article_snippet.sent: It awakened the United States," said Ernie Allen, president and chief executive officer of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
article_snippet.sent: It was the beginning of a missing children's movement.
article_snippet.sent: But the news industry was expanding to cable television, and sweet images of children appeared along with destroyed parents begging for children safe return.
article_snippet.sent: The fear rising across the United States sparked awareness and prompted change from politicians and police.
article_snippet.sent: In 1984, Congress passed the Missing Children's Assistance Act, which led to the creation of the National Center for Missing & Exploited ChildrenMissing & Exploited Children.
article_snippet.sent: Former President Ronald Reagan opened the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in a White House ceremony in 1984.
article_snippet.sent: It soon began operating a 24-hour toll-free hot line on which callers could report information about missing boys and girls.
article_snippet.sent: Joe Sterling and CNN's Lorenzo Ferrigno contributed to this report.
highlights_snippet.sent: The young boy's face appeared on milk cartons all across the United States .
  