$20,000 reward for information leading to return of kidnapped 5-year-old N.J. girl

BRIDGETON, N.J. (WPIX) -- A $20,000 reward has been offered for information that leads to the whereabouts of a 5-year-old girl who disappeared this week while playing with a sibling at a New Jersey playground.

State police issued an Amber Alert late Tuesday night for Dulce Maria Alavez, who was last seen around 5 p.m. Monday at Bridgeton city park. The girl and her 3-year-old brother were playing there while their mother sat in her car with an 8-year-old relative.

The mother told police her son soon ran back to the car crying and pointed to the area where he last saw his sister. They could not locate her and police were soon notified.

Authorities believe the girl was taken by a man who apparently led her to a van, put her in the back seat and drove off.

The child may have been taken by a light-skinned, possibly Hispanic male, the Bridgeton Police department said. The possible suspect is described as between 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8, with a thin build, no facial hair, and acne on his face. He was wearing orange sneakers, red pants and a black shirt, police said.