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While the missing five-year-old researcher Dulce Maria Alavez began her second week, the Bridgeton police chief asked members of the city's growing immigrant community to come forward without fear, no matter what. their status, to find the girl.
"Our policy is not to ask for their immigration status," NJ Advance Media told Bridgeton Police Chief Michael Gaimari. "We would not know if anyone is undocumented or not."
Gaimari said that he thought that someone in the city of 25,000, including many immigrants from Mexico and Guatemala, had to know something that would help the authorities to track down Dulce, who disappeared on September 16 while she was playing with her younger brother at Bridgeton City Park.
In Bridgeton, we are a city of many people and we need to help each other and support each other, especially in times of crisis, "said Curtis Edwards, Bridgeton Chair. I understand that there is fear to get up and forward information, but there must not be. I urge all who are aware of this incident to report it to local authorities, who work tirelessly to serve and protect all members of our community.
Police believe that Dulce was kidnapped and issued an Amber alert Tuesday with the description of her possible kidnapper. She was playing with her 3-year-old brother while her mother was in the car with an 8-year-old parent about 30 meters away, police said. Dulce's brother returned to the car crying and showing where he had said he had seen his sister for the last time, police said.
A witness told police that a man had driven Dulce to a red pickup truck with a sliding door. He is described as a clean-shaven Hispanic, with a slim build and acne on his face. Authorities said it was about 5 feet 8 inches. Dulce is described as 3 feet 5 inches tall with brown eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing a yellow shirt with an elephant photo, black and white pants and white shoes.
Authorities continued to search the 1,000 acres of Bridgeton Municipal Park throughout last week. A candlelight vigil was held Saturday night at the park.
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The case was complicated by widespread rumors that distracted the investigation, police said. Dulce's mother, Noema Alavez Perez, 19, said last week that her current boyfriend, who is not Dulce's father, was arrested by the immigration and customs police last week. He was later released.
After several high-level ice raids this year, including one in August where 680 undocumented immigrants were arrested in Mississippi, Chief Gairmari said he knew that many Bridgeton residents were still reluctant to speak to the state police and local police.
"I think there are people who are afraid to come forward," Gairmari said.
At present, state officials are conducting research on the missing girl, with the help of the FBI, Gaimari said. Even if the federal investigators take over, the witnesses should not worry about their immigration status, he said.
"To the extent that I have been informed of this situation, we are not asking these questions," he said.
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A 2018 directive issued by the Attorney General's Office enjoins local and state authorities not to assist immigration and customs services to enforce their legal obligations beyond their legal obligations.
At a community vigil for Dulce on Saturday, her uncle also begged Bridgeton residents to turn to the police if she had any information.
"Please, I ask you with all my heart that if you see something strange, report it to the police," Abad Perez said. "Do not doubt to call the police."
The reward for information on Alavez rose to $ 35,000 on Friday. Among the contributors to the award were the FBI, the Cumberland County Attorney's Office, the New Jersey State Police Charitable Association, and two local businesses.
Although the family was overwhelmed by community support, she said she was struggling to cope with every day that was going on without Dulce's return.
"You do not know the anxiety we have at home," Perez said Saturday night. "The emptiness she's left behind."
Anyone with information about Dulce is asked to call the Missing Persons Service of the New Jersey State Police at 609-882-2000, ext. 2554, or the Bridgeton Police at 856-451-0033. Tipping can also be called by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI and selecting option 4, then option 8.
Cassidy Grom can be reached at [email protected] Follow her to @cassidygrom. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.
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