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A school district south of Jersey will meet Wednesday night to discuss the future of a teacher who made a racist comment about the disappearance of five-year-old Dulce Marie Alavez, who, according to the police, was kidnapped in a park in Bridgeton last week.
Jennifer Hewitt Bishop, a teacher at the Vineland School District, commented on a post asking why Dulce's mother was not keeping a close eye on the girl.
"They are Mexican, it's their culture. They do not monitor their children as we do, "reads the comment.
Joe Rossi, executive director of district staff, said several people had reported the teacher's comment by sending a message to the Vineland Public School's Facebook page. The person watching the page has attracted the attention of district administrators, Rossi said.
"Everything is being evaluated. We will have a result shortly, "he said. Rossi said the school board would meet tonight for a staff meeting, which is not open to the public.
He would not say if Bishop had been suspended or was on leave.
"She's not in the classroom," said Rossi.
Bishop, now in his second year at school, has not responded to a request for comment.
Dulce was playing in Bridgeton City Park on September 16 with his 3-year-old brother, while his mother and another 8-year-old family member were sitting in a car nearby. A few minutes later, the 3-year-old boy ran back to his mother crying and showing a place where he had last seen his sister. An Amber alert was issued the next day after police learned that Dulce may have been abducted. The reward for his safe return has climbed to $ 35,000.
The suspect in the possible abduction is described as a light-skinned man, possibly Hispanic, measuring about 5 feet 6 inches. It has a thin build, no hair and facial acne. He wore orange sneakers, red pants and a black shirt. He drove Dulce to a red van with a sliding door, according to the account of a witness provided to the police.
Anyone with information about Dulce was urged to call the Missing Persons Unit of the 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.
A sign and candles were placed at the Bridgeton City Park for Dulce Maria Alavez, 5, missing.
Noah Cohen can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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