Dulce Maria Alavez's disappearance remains a mystery six years later

Six years have passed since Dulce Maria Alavez vanished from Bridgeton City Park in Cumberland County, New Jersey, on September 16, 2019. At the time of her disappearance, Dulce was just 5 years old and was last seen playing on the swings with her 3-year-old brother. Their mother, Noema Alavez Perez, was parked nearby when she went to check on them and discovered that Dulce was missing. This prompted an extensive search by police and volunteer groups, who scoured the park and surrounding wooded areas for days but found no trace of Dulce. In the years since her disappearance, multiple age-progressed images have been released to show what Dulce might look like today. Authorities have also issued sketches of a possible person of interest—described as a white or Hispanic male wearing orange sneakers, red pants, and a black shirt—who was reportedly seen leaving the playground in a red van on the day Dulce went missing. The investigation remains open, and consistently flowing tips continue to be examined by the team handling the case. Recently, on the sixth anniversary of her disappearance, law enforcement officials, led by Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae, announced that they are now utilizing advanced artificial intelligence tools to assist in their ongoing investigation. This initiative aims to uncover new leads and insights, allowing investigators to re-examine evidence that has been collected over the years. As case agents collaborate with the New Jersey State Police Special Investigations Section, they are hopeful that AI technologies might help them piece together the clues of this complex puzzle. Prosecutor Webb-McRae emphasized the importance of community involvement during this challenging investigation. She acknowledged that anyone who was in or around the park during the time Dulce disappeared could hold crucial information that might help solve this mystery. During her statement, she affirmed a commitment to achieving justice for Dulce and finding answers for her family, noting, "We will not rest until we solve this mystery." Acknowledging the passage of time, as Dulce would be turning 11 today, the community continues to slowly remember and reignite efforts for updates and vital information about her case. As days go by, hopes remain that someone may come forward with the pieces needed to resolve this tragic story.