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Barthrop disappeared when playing near his home on the 100 block of Chilton Street in Elizabeth on Saturday, June 12, 1999, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo said in a release.
Investigators believe the individuals with information on Barthrop’s whereabouts live in Essex County, Union County and North Carolina.
“The UCPO Missing Persons Initiative was launched earlier this year in an effort to reunite Union County’s missing persons with their loved ones,” Ruotolo said in a statement on Monday.
"Through this initiative we call upon the community we serve to assist us in that reunification process. For people who love Kevin Barthrop and for the investigators who have never given up hope as they worked this case over decades, any leads generated from this initiative will assist us as we continue to search for answers."
A sketch artist created an age-progressed image of Barthrop as a 22-year-old that was widely circulated last June to mark the 20th anniversary of his disappearance.
Anyone with information about Barthrop’s disappearance is asked to contact Sgt. Michael Manochio at 908-966-2287 or Sgt. Janet Lopez at 908-347-8491.
The Union County Crime Stoppers are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for any information that leads to an arrest. To make an anonymous tip, call 908-654-TIPS (8477) or visit www.uctip.org.
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