On September 16, 2019, 5-year-old Dulce Maria Alavez was playing in a park with her 3-year-old brother. It was a gorgeous day in Bridgeton, New Jersey, and the two children were enjoying ice cream. But in under 15 minutes, the idyllic day would turn into a parent's worst nightmare, when Manuel came running back to the car without his older sister. A search for Dulce Maria was immediately launched, and so was the criticism against her young mother, Noema. In this week's episode, we discuss the early days of the investigation and what Dulce Maria's family went through, even as the community rallied around the missing girl. Find us everywhere: linktr.ee/attwgpod Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/attwgpodFor a full list of sources, please visit our website, andthentheyweregone.comSources: Dulce Maria Alavez – The Charley Project **AMBER ALERT**** New Jersey... - New Jersey State Police Police searching for 5-year-old girl who went missing Monday night in Bridgeton park Amber alert issued for 5-year-old girl who vanished from Cumberland County park N.J. Amber Alert update: Mom pleads for abducted 5-year-old girl’s safe return as search resumes Mom of missing 5-year-old Dulce Alavez avoiding public after critical comments about her behavior Don’t give up on Dulce, family pleads as they plan new search for the missing 5-year-old This N.J. girl vanished without a trace. Two months later, cops say they haven’t given up hope.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/andthentheyweregone/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andthentheyweregone/supportSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/attwgpod)