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Mom of missing boy Etan Patz testifies at NYC murder trial

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2014, file photo, Julie Patz, mother of Etan Patz, leaves a courtroom in New York. Pedro Hernandez, who is accused of killing Patz, told police 33 years after they boy's 1979 disappearance, that he choked the 6-year-old and put the still-living boy into a plastic bag, boxed up the bag and left it on a street. Opening statements in Hernandez's trial are set for Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2014, file photo, Julie Patz, mother of Etan Patz, leaves a courtroom in New York. Pedro Hernandez, who is accused of killing Patz, told police 33 years after they boy's 1979 disappearance, that he choked the 6-year-old and put the still-living boy into a plastic bag, boxed up the bag and left it on a street. Opening statements in Hernandez's trial are set for Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

By Associated Press February 2, 2015 1 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – The mother of a 6-year-old boy who vanished on his way to school 35 years ago is testifying in the New York murder trial of a store clerk accused of killing him.

Julie Patz (payts) began her testimony Monday recounting her time living in SoHo when Etan (AY’-tahn) was little. She was the last relative to see him alive.

Etan disappeared on his way to school May 25, 1979. It was his first time walking to school alone.

Julie Patz is testifying in the trial of Pedro Hernandez, who has pleaded not guilty.

Hernandez confessed to the crime in 2012 in a lengthy videotaped statement to authorities. His lawyer says he can’t distinguish between reality and fantasy.

Etan’s body hasn’t been found. The investigation has stretched over continents and decades.