1987 : New York Police announce a man has been arrested in the disappearance of Etan Smith . The case was the first of several high - profile missing children cases . Etan 's photo was found on milk cartons , a new idea at the time . Abductions by strangers are rare ; runaways are much more numerous .
NEW : New York police say a man has been arrested in the death of Etan Patz . The case was the first of several high-profile missing children cases . Etan 's photo was posted on milk cartons , a new idea at the time . Abductions by strangers are rare ; runaways are much more numerous .