Police have conducted
several searches of the park. Helicopters buzzed overhead and used infrared technology as they methodically crisscrossed the landscape.
Back at the park, the only obvious sign of the ongoing search, apart from TV trucks, is a tribute of photos, candles, balloons and messages urging Dulce’s return set up along a baseball field backstop near the playground where she was last seen.
The playground also sits next to Alden Field, which hosts the annual Bridgeton Invitational baseball tournament, and near the All Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey. This portion of the park backs up to Bridgeton High School and West Avenue School.
“It’s a heavily wooded area throughout the whole park, which makes it kind of difficult, but I’m proud of the work that has been done thus far,” Kelly said of law enforcement’s efforts.
"I feel it in my bones and I pray every day concerning this,” he said. “I’m going to stay positive. She’s one of ours and we’re going to find her.”
They were the only kids at the playground at the time, police previously noted. The playground is still being built, though no work was being done at the time.
A few dozen people were playing basketball on courts next to the playground. All were interviewed by police.
Sprawling N.J. park where 5-year-old Dulce Alavez went missing is tough place to search, officials say
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