A newly released age-progression image shows how Joseph Hurtado might look at 53 as his family hopes DNA and genetic genealogy can provide answers more than five decades after his disappearance.
A family in El Paso is trying to find a missing child using new technology after more than fifty years. The case involves Joseph Hurtado who went missing on Sept. 9 1974 when he was just twenty months old. Joseph was last seen playing outside his grandmother’s house in the Upper Valley area of El Paso.
His mother noticed he was gone while she was washing their family car in the driveway. At first she thought Joseph had just returned inside but soon realized he was truly missing.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children released a new digital image of what Joseph might look like today according to kfoxtv.com. Forensic artists created the image to help bring attention to the case after more than fifty years.
Marie Hurtado George is Joseph’s youngest sister and spoke with KFOX14/CBS4 about the case. Marie said she was born after Joseph went missing and learned about him through family stories. She shared how seeing the new image of her brother was very hard for her.
The new age-progression depicts Joseph at age 53.
Marie said that even after decades the family has never stopped trying to find Joseph. She believes DNA testing could help bring answers and closure to the family. Marie encouraged others to take DNA tests if they are interested in their family history.
Joseph’s current NCMEC poster notes that he has a birthmark near his right kidney and was born with club feet. He was wearing brown orthopedic shoes when he disappeared. The center lists Joseph under case number 601771.
The case remains open and continues to draw attention from both the public and law enforcement. Joseph’s disappearance has been a long-standing mystery in El Paso. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children asks anyone with information to contact the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office or NCMEC.
The use of modern technology shows how far forensic tools have come in recent decades. This new image may help jog memories or lead to new leads in the investigation. Genetic genealogy also offers the family another possible path toward identifying Joseph if he is still alive or obtaining answers if he is not.
The family hopes that with continued effort and support they may finally learn what happened to Joseph. Joseph’s story is one of many missing children cases that still remain unsolved.
His case shows how important it is to keep searching even after long periods of time.
IMAGE: Source Own work Author B575 CC3