Search continues for 5-year-old Bridgeton, New Jersey, girl missing for over a year
Image credit: Bridgeton Police Department
Law enforcement agencies are renewing their efforts to locate a five-year-girl who disappeared from a playground in Bridgeton, New Jersey, over a year ago. The authorities believe that the little girl is still alive.
Dulce Maria Alavez, disappeared from that playground around 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. on September 16, 2019. She has been described by the FBI and ICE as being a White, Hispanic, American female, with brown hair and brown eyes, weighing approximately 60 – 70 pounds, and approximately three feet tall. She was last seen wearing a yellow shirt, black and white checkered pants, with a white flower design and dress sandals.
At the time of her disappearance, the little girl was playing on the swings with her three-year-old brother. Her pregnant mother was nearby watching over the two children from her car, approximately 30 yards away, and at the time was accompanied by another child, an eight-year-old relative. Suddenly, her three-year-old son reportedly retuned to the car, crying, and alone.
The mother told investigators she observed her son returning to the car without his sister and she was unable to find her.
Police at the time say the girl could have been led into a red van and may have been taken by a Hispanic man standing 5’6″ to 5’8″ with a thin build, no facial hair, acne on his face and wearing orange sneakers with red pants and a black shirt. ~ Fox News
Image credits: Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office & Bridgeton Police Department
ICE wants the public to know that they want to help locate Dulce, and if you have any information concerning her whereabouts, that they are not interested in your immigration status.
ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) wants everyone to understand that they want any witnesses to “feel comfortable to report information to authorities.”
“This is a tragic situation for the family and we extend our deepest sympathies to them during this difficult time. Non-U.S. citizens, regardless of their immigration status, should not for one minute be hesitant to provide information that may assist in this investigation.
As a law enforcement agency, ICE works closely with our federal, state, and local partners in support of public safety,” said ICE ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris.
One working theory from the FBI is that this may have been an abduction of convenience and that the child may not have been specifically targeted for the kidnapping. The FBI feels that their kidnapping suspect could have been familiar with the playground and the immediate area.
“That’s why we think the community is so important,” said FBI Special Agent Daniel Garrabrant.
“What may be key is that the offender may have changed his behavior afterward by moving out of the area or missing work, he said. Garrabrant stressed that authorities just want to find Dulce and are not concerned with any tipster’s immigration status.” ~ The Philadelphia Inquirer
Authorities have ruled out the child’s father, who lives in Mexico, as a suspect in Dulce’s abduction and have confirmation that she is not there with him. The FBI went on to say that the child’s family in Mexico has been fully cooperating with law enforcement.
(Missing Poster)
(Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office)
Tipsters, who may remain anonymous, may call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or Bridgeton police at 856-451-0033 – or – by texting TIP411 (847411) and typing “Bridgeton” along with the tip.
There is a $75,000 reward for information on Dulce’s whereabouts.
Anyone with photos or videos from Bridgeton City Park on September 16, 2019 should upload them to the following site: http:www.fbi.gov/alavezhttp:www.fbi.gov/alavez
For more on missing Dulce Maria Alavez, see the video below.
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
