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Etan Patz murder suspect Pedro Hernandez admitted to hospital after suicidal statements, police say
Etan Patz(left); Pedro Hernandez, arrested Thursday, May 24, 2012, for the 1979 murder of the 6-year-old New York City boy
(CBS/AP) NEW YORK - Pedro Hernandez, the man accused of killing 6-year-old Etan Patz in one of the nation's most notorious missing child cases, was hospitalized on the day of his planned arraignment after police say he made statements about wanting to kill himself.
Pictures: Man in custody in Etan Patz disappearance
Police say Hernandez confessed this week to strangling Etan in the basement of a Manhattan convenience store in 1979.
Hernandez was taken to Bellevue Hospital early Friday to get medication for an existing health problem.
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.
A court spokesman said arrangements were being made to conduct the arraignment hearing via a video link from his hospital room.
Complete coverage of the Etan Patz case on Crimesider
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