Children abducted by relatives , runaways , and abductions by strangers are the three classifications of what came to be repackaged and rebranded by activists as `` missing children '' in the late 1970s and early 1980s , Best said . The Patz disappearance was one of several high-profile cases . Etan Patz 's photo was posted on milk cartons . A man named John Ramsey, who had been missing for three years and whose body has never been found, is believed to have killed his parents in a home invasion. Authorities use the AMBER alert system when children go missing .
The Patz disappearance was one of several high-profile cases . Etan Patz 's photo was posted on milk cartons . A man named John Ramsey, who had been missing for three years and whose body has never been found, is believed to have killed his parents in a home invasion. Authorities use the AMBER alert system when children go missing .