Authorities dispel rumors that body of missing Bridgeton girl was found in Ohio

Cumberland County authorities are dispelling rumors that the body of a 5-year-old girl who went missing in Bridgeton last year was found in Ohio.
Bridgeton police say that Dulce Maria Alavez’s body has not been found. They say that law enforcement officers in Austintown, Ohio, conducted a search of an area based on “an unsubstantiated tip they received.” Bridgeton police say that nothing related to Alavez’s disappearance was recovered.
Alavez went missing nearly six months ago in September while playing in the Bridgeton City Park with her younger brother. The little girl has not been seen since.
Police say that they will continue to work with the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, state police and the FBI to follow up on leads related to her disappearance.
“However, the department has received erroneous information from less-than-credible sources during the course of this investigation that has resulted in manpower being re-directed in their efforts. This type of activity hinders investigators' efforts in locating Dulce and determining the circumstances surrounding her disappearance,” police wrote in a statement on Facebook.
Anyone who may have credible information related to Alavez’s disappearance should call the Bridgeton Police Department at 856-451-0033.