A decades old missing child case in New York City might be a step closer to being solved after a New Jersey man implicated himself to police.

Investigators are trying to confirm the account of Pedro Hernandez who told them he strangled Etan Patz, 33 years ago, after the six-year-old came into the store where he worked to buy candy and soda.

Hernandez told the police he put Etan's body in a box and disposed of it.

Sources tell ABC News that prosecutors are not yet ready to charge Hernandez but they remain "cautiously optimistic."

New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg says, "As a father, I just can't imagine what they've gone through and I certainly hope that we are one step closer to bringing them some measure of relief."

This development follows last month's fruitless five day search of a basement near the spot where Etan vanished while walking to the bus stop alone for the first time.

Etan was one of the first missing children to appear on a milk carton.

His parents never moved out of their address in case Etan called or came home.