No Amber Alert issued in disappearance of South Jersey girl found slain; police explain

Two teenage brothers are accused of killing a 12-year-old Gloucester County girl who disappeared Saturday after riding her bicycle away from her home in Clayton.

Many residents of Clayton are wondering why an Amber Alert was not issued to help find Autumn Pasquale.

The criteria were not met to launch the Amber Alert system to send the broadcast media an emergency message, New Jersey State Police said the day after the girl’s body was found in a recycling bin.

Requirements specify that there must be reason to believe a child under the age of 18 was abducted and in danger of death or serious injury, police officials said Wednesday.

There must also be reason to believe an Amber Alert would help locate a child by providing information such as a description of a suspect or a vehicle involved in an abduction.

It does not apply to all reports of missing children because authorities say there are more than 25 of them in New Jersey each day.

The State Police policy says misuse of the Amber Alert system would lead to a lack of confidence by members of the public whose assistance is being sought to help locate an abducted child.

Authorities said Wednesday one of the teenage brothers charged in Autumn’s death may have posted a Facebook message about the slaying. The message prompted the boys’ mother to contact police.

The girl’s bicycle was found at the home of the brothers, who are 15 and 17. They live just a few blocks from the Pasquale family.