New York Daily News

LOVE FOR CHILD

7 years after Brooklyn boy, 7, mysterious­ly vanished

- Ttracy@nydailynew­s.com

a mentally ill man is now being retried for killing Patz, the boy’s body has never been found.

Zimmerman was transferre­d to the NYPD’s hostage negotiatio­n team last year. The NYPD denied a News request to interview Zimmerman’s successor, Lt. Kevin Sherlock, about the Alford investigat­ion.

The NYPD also would not disclose the current caseload of the NYPD’s missing persons squad, claiming that since many missing persons are runaways and vulnerable older adults who usually return home within a few days, the numbers are “too fluid” to publicize.

According to the website The Missing, more than 13,000 people went missing in New York City last year.

The New York State Missing Persons Clearingho­use reported that 8,003 people went missing in the five boroughs in 2013 — the last year a report was generated.

Of that number, 1,505 cases remained active by year’s end, meaning that about 81% of people reported missing had returned home safely.

Toledo, who’s lost touch with Rodriguez over the years, believes Patrick will be found one day — alive.

“There’s got to be something out there, there’s no body,” Toledo said. “I really think that he's someplace out of state.”

He and his wife have made it a point not to change their telephone numbers — in case Patrick wants to call them.

“If he’s out there, call. Call us,” Toledo said, addressing his missing nephew. “Let me know where you’re at and I’ll personally pick you up. In a heartbeat, I will pick him up."

Cops are offering a $12,000 reward for informatio­n that would lead to Patrick’s return.

Anyone with informatio­n regarding his whereabout­s is urged to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidenti­al.

 ??  ?? Wilfredo Toledo (left) longs for day his nephew Patrick Alford (inset top left and in photo held by boy’s mom, Jennifer Rodriguez), who vanished without a trace at age 7 in 2010, will once again ride his cherished bike.
Wilfredo Toledo (left) longs for day his nephew Patrick Alford (inset top left and in photo held by boy’s mom, Jennifer Rodriguez), who vanished without a trace at age 7 in 2010, will once again ride his cherished bike.

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