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She was just five when she went missing on Sept. 16, 2019, while at a Cumberland County playground with her younger brother, Manny.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released a new "progressive sketch" that shows what Dulce Maria would look like today.
A vigil will be held Saturday, Sept. 16 at 4:30 p.m. at Bridgeton City Park's Dulce tree —dedicated to the missing child near the playground where she was last seen. The tree is often decorated with flowers, balloons and well wishes for the girl's return.
Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae and Bridgeton City Police Chief Michael Gaimari said, "In the absence of evidence confirming Dulce’s demise investigators hold out hope that Dulce is still alive."
Dulce had just started kindergarten days earlier when her family went to Bridgeton City Park on the late afternoon of Sept. 16, 2019.
She ran to a nearby playground with her 3-year-old brother while their mother, Noema Alavez Perez, waited in the car. A short time later, when the mom went looking for her children, she only found Manny. Dulce Maria was gone.
Meanwhile, a non-profit investigative firm has been asked by the Alavez family to independently probe Dulce's disappearance.
The Florida-based Anti-Predator Project plans to be in the Bridgeton area on Friday and Saturday in case residents want to talk to a non-law enforcement entity, according to Trent Steele, president of the group.
With "fresh eyes.... we're working on some new stuff," Steele said, declining to elaborate.
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