Search for girl missing from Bridgeton park enters 5th day

A search for a little girl believed to have been kidnapped from a Cumberland County park continues for the fifth day.

News 12 Staff

Sep 20, 2019, 2:36 PM

Updated 1,686 days ago

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A search for a little girl believed to have been kidnapped from a Cumberland County park continues for the fifth day.
More than 100 officers from state and local police searched Friday in Bridgeton, on the ground and using a state police helicopter.
Five-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez disappeared Monday from a city park. The girl and her 3-year-old brother were playing while their mother sat in her car with an 8-year-old relative.
Authorities say that they are still looking for the man described in an Amber Alert issued Tuesday night. But officials would not say if they are pursuing the man as the abductor or as a person who may have information about the girl’s disappearance.
The man is described as light-skinned and possibly Hispanic. He is about 5 feet, 6 inches tall. He has acne and no facial hair. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, red pants and orange sneakers. He was seen with a red van or SUV.
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Authorities asked the community Friday to be aware if anyone has changed their routine, changed their physical appearance or left town recently without explanation.
“Often someone in the community will unknowingly be associated with an offender of a crime and may be in a position to observe behavioral changes in that person,” said Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae. “They may display anxiety, nervousness, or irritability. They may withdraw from their normal activities.”
Webb-McRae assured members of the community that immigration status would not be asked of anyone who contacted authorities to provide information on the case.
A reward for information leading to an arrest in the case has been increased to $35,000.
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Anyone who may have information about the girl’s whereabouts is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324). Press option 4 and then option 8. People may also call Bridgeton police at 856-451-0033. Information can be sent anonymously by texting “Bridgeton” to TIP411.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


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