The person at the center of this case
Dulce Maria Alavez, 5-year-old girl
Missing Person · Open - Unsolved
1 year waiting · since 2025
Dulce Maria Alavez
Justice for Dulce Maria Alavez, 5-year-old girl — the trail went cold in 2025, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Who is the man in the composite sketch seen in the park around the time of Dulce's disappearance, and was he involved in her abduction?
🚗
vehicle
Lead #2What is the significance of the red van reportedly seen with a man leading Dulce away, and has this vehicle been identified or located?
🔍
evidence
Lead #3Who sent the three anonymous handwritten letters to Ohio locations, and do they have genuine knowledge of Dulce's whereabouts or are they false leads?
Dulce Maria Alavez, a 5-year-old girl, disappeared on September 16, 2019, from Bridgeton City Park in New Jersey while playing with her younger brother as their mother sat nearby in a car. Investigators believe she may have been abducted by a stranger and led to a red van, though no suspects have been identified and her whereabouts remain unknown over five years later. The case has attracted national attention, a $75,000 reward, and FBI involvement, but anonymous letters sent to Ohio locations and numerous false tips have complicated the investigation.
Case
#35
Bridgeton Police Department, New Jersey State Police, FBI, Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
👁️
witness
Lead #4What details can the 3-year-old brother provide about what he saw, and are there other park visitors who witnessed suspicious activity that day?
📞
contact
Lead #5Did Dulce's mother have any interactions or conversations that day that might provide leads, and what was she doing when her son returned to the car?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Timeline of Events
👤
2019-09-16
Dulce disappears from park
Dulce Maria Alavez last seen playing in Bridgeton City Park with her 3-year-old brother while mother sat in nearby car with an 8-year-old relative. Brother returned to car crying without his sister.
🕵️
2019-09-17
Amber Alert issued
Amber Alert issued for Dulce Maria Alavez following report of suspected abduction.
📋
2019-10-01
Composite sketch released
Police released composite sketch of man seen in park around time of disappearance, described as potential witness.
🕵️
2020-02-01
Community search efforts
Dozens of volunteers conducted organized searches nearly five months after disappearance, with ongoing community support groups formed.
📋
2020-02-01
Anonymous letters received in Ohio
Three handwritten items referencing Dulce received in Austintown and Weathersfield, Ohio, prompting searches in wooded areas near Youngstown 76 Auto Truck Plaza.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:September 16, 2019
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 856-451-0033
You can remain anonymous
$75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:September 16, 2019
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 856-451-0033
You can remain anonymous
$75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case