Her mother waited in the car just steps away while Dulce played on the swings with her little brother. Minutes later, her brother was crying alone — and Dulce was gone.
The Disappearance
On September 16, 2019, 5-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez was playing with her younger brother at Bridgeton City Park in Cumberland County, New Jersey, while her mother, Noema Alavez Pérez, waited nearby in their vehicle with Dulce's younger sister. Moments later, Alavez Pérez found her son crying alone — Dulce was nowhere to be found.
The Investigation
About a month after Dulce's disappearance, authorities released a sketch of a man identified as a person of interest; he has never been located, and his connection to the case remains unconfirmed. Investigators have conducted hundreds of interviews and pursued leads across multiple states in the years since, including recent work with the Anti-Predator Project, an organization that has said its involvement generated over 160 additional leads reaching into New York, Texas, and Mexico.
A Family Still Waiting
Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae and Bridgeton Police Chief Michael Gaimari have said that, absent evidence confirming otherwise, investigators continue to hold out hope Dulce is alive. Her mother has spoken publicly in the years since about the pain of not knowing what happened, and the family gathers annually at the park to keep Dulce's case in public view. Authorities have released age-progression images to aid identification efforts as the years pass.
FAQ
Has Dulce Maria Alavez ever been found?
No. As of the available information, she remains missing and the case is unsolved.
Was a suspect ever identified?
A person of interest was sketched based on witness accounts about a month after her disappearance, but he has never been located or confirmed connected to the case.
Who should be contacted with information?
The Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office or local law enforcement.