Police Search Home of Accused Child Killer

Pedro Hernandez, 51, was arrested last month

Police on Wednesday began searching the Maple Shade, New Jersey home of the suspect arrested for allegedly luring 6-year-old Etan Patz off a SoHo street and strangling him in a basement in 1979.

Pedro Hernandez, 51, is charged with second-degree murder in the 33-year-old case.

NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said the search is "part of a continuing investigation."

Last May, police say Hernandez confessed to a relative that he strangled the boy in the basement of the Manhattan store where he worked in 1979. The NYPD took Hernandez into custody on May 23 and say he admitted to the crime.

Hernandez was taken to Bellevue Hospital on May 25 to get medication for an existing health problem. The family of Hernadez claims he has prostate cancer.

While he was there, psychologists questioned him about his mental state. Police say the doctors later ordered him admitted to the hospital after he made suicidal statements.

An arraignment was held for Hernandez via a video link from his hospital room on Friday. During the arraignment, he was charged with 2nd-degree murder. A judge also ordered a mental evaluation of Hernandez. His lawyer claims his client is bipolar, schizophrenic and has a history of hallucinations.

Officials told NBC New York that Wednesday's search warrant was carried out to yield any clues that will corroborate with Hernandez's detailed confession.

During the search, investigators were spotted bringing out a laptop hard drive and bags from Hernandez's home. They also escorted Hernandez's wife and daughter to another location. Detectives are still at the home as of 10 p.m.

Hernandez remains jailed in New York. He will have to undergo a psychiatric evaluation before a court hearing on June 22.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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