Christmas gathering planned for N.J. child missing more than 3 years

Authorities released age-progression images (left, center) of how Dulce Maria Alavez may appear today as a 7-year-old. She was 5 (right) when she disappeared from a Bridgeton City Park on Sept. 16, 2019.
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Christmas has always been Dulce Alavez’s favorite holiday, according to her family.

Holidays like these haven’t been the same since the little girl disappeared three years ago during a visit to a Bridgeton park, her mom said last year.

Later this month, Dulce’s family and local supporters will return to Bridgeton City Park to celebrate the now-8-year-old and offer prayers for her return.

The Christmas gathering will take place Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. at Dulce’s Tree, a giant oak dedicated to the girl and adorned with flowers, candles, photos and messages of hope for the child’s return.

Events like this one are a way to keep Dulce’s story in the public eye, according to organizers. The event is open to the public. Learn more by going to Facebook.

READ MORE ABOUT THE CASE:

Dulce was 5 when she vanished on Sept. 16, 2019, and clues to her fate have remained elusive.

Authorities believe she was taken from an area near a playground while her mother sat in a car nearby. Investigators and her family hold out hope that she is still alive.

Detectives have conducted hundreds of interviews and visited or communicated with law enforcement officials in 11 states and Mexico as part of the investigation, officials said recently.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact authorities via one of these options:

  • Bridgeton Police: 856-451-0033
  • Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office: 856-453-0486
  • New Jersey State Police: 609-882-2000, ext. 2554
  • FBI: 1-800-CALL-FBI. Select option 4, then option 8.
  • Anonymous tips may be sent to Bridgeton Police at bpdops.com/tips or to the prosecutor’s office at njccpo.org/tips.

A tree lighting ceremony was held in honor of Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Noema Alavez Perez stands in front of a tree dedicated in honor of her daughter Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Noema Alavez Perez holds her daughter, Estrella, during a tree lighting ceremony in honor of Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Family and friends attend a tree lighting ceremony held in honor of Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Tiana Pollack, 17, performs an interpretive dance during a tree lighting ceremony in honor of Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Family and friends attended a tree lighting ceremony in honor of Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Victoria Crespo sings during a tree lighting ceremony in honor of Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Brenda Trinidad, a volunteer, helps set up a tree lighting ceremony in honor of Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Tiana Pollack, 17, performs an interpretive dance during a tree lighting ceremony in honor of Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Noema Alavez Perez, flanked by volunteers Margarita Morales, left, and Elena Mercado, welcome guests to a tree lighting ceremony in honor of Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Brenda Trinidad, a volunteer, helps set up a tree lighting ceremony in honor of Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Noema Alavez Perez stands in front of a tree dedicated to her daughter Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Noema Alavez Perez, flanked by volunteers Margarita Morales, left, and Elena Mercado, welcome guests to a tree lighting ceremony in honor of Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Noema Alavez Perez, left, and Elena Mercado, welcome guests to a tree lighting ceremony in honor of Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Tiana Pollack, 17, performs an interpretive dance during a tree lighting ceremony in honor of Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

Noema Alavez Perez, left, and Elena Mercado, welcome guests to a tree lighting ceremony in honor of Dulce Maria Alavez, in Bridgeton, NJ on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Dulce vanished from the park on Sept. 16, 2019.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.

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