Dr. Phil's show focusing on the case of a missing 5-year-old Bridgeton girl didn't really answer any questions.
Nearly three months Dulce Maria Alavez was last seen, there is still just a sketch of "a potential witness," and the vague description of a van.
There was the mention of a man who had been trying to date Noema Alavez Perez, but she seemed uncertain that he had anything to do with what happened.
But Dr. Phil McGraw's exclusive interview with the young mother did offer a deeper look at the woman who often has been the subject of public scorn and speculation since her daughter disappeared.
Alavez Perez has not seen 5-year-old Dulce since she let the girl and her 3-year-old brother go play at Bridgeton City Park, while she stayed inside her car nearby just before 5 p.m. Sept. 16.
Many have questioned why the 19-year-old mother of two — with a third child on the way — allowed children so young to wander off alone, while she sat helping her 8-year-old sister with homework and scratched lottery tickets.
They also have questioned her calm demeanor — something Dr. Phil McGraw also noted.
"You're the mother. You seem awfully calm about all this," he told her. "I've talked to lots of mothers of abducted children, and you're the most calm I've ever talked to."
McGraw would later tell the audience how she seemed detached and unemotional.
But, he noted, when he had Alavez Perez speak in her native Spanish, the emotion came through.
"We love you Dulce, wherever you are.... We miss you," she says in Spanish. "We love you very much." It was then that the tears — which the mother said she doesn't even shed in front of her parents — finally came.
She apologized for not being a good enough mother to the girl and not watching out for her.
Afterward, in what the show had teased as a "shocking revelation," friend Jackie Rodriguez said she believes Alavez Perez knows more than she has let on.
While she does not believe Dulce's mother is involved in the disappearance or would hurt her in any way, she did say she believes she could provide more information, including about "that man" that the mother mentioned had been trying to date her.
She also said she believes that a fear of ICE has kept some undocumented people from sharing information. McGraw asked Rodriguez to pass on to anyone who may be fearful that they could share information with his staff, and be protected.
He also said he would work to increase the current reward to $75,000. Investigators have received hundreds of tips in the case, but nothing has been released to the public.
Anyone who may have information about the case is asked to call Bridgeton police at 856-451-0033. The public has been reminded that authorities will not question any witness about their immigration status. Information may be supplied anonymously by texting TIP411 (847411) beginning the text with Bridgeton.
