Toddler Dies Of Self-Inflicted Gunshot: 5 NJ Stories You Need To Read

Good evening, New Jersey Patch readers! We've assembled some of the most share-worthy stories from the state for today, just for you.

Here are the top five stories from New Jersey:

1. A nonprofit that investigates human trafficking has joined efforts to find Dulce María Alavez, who went missing from a South Jersey park more than three years ago. Alavez was 5 years old at the time, and the Anti-Predator Project plans to investigate her case. (Read more on Patch.)

2. The family of the trucker killed in the fiery crash that collapsed I-95 is mourning him while they search for answers as to what caused an experienced driver to lose control of the tanker. A GoFundMe for Nate Moody's family has raised more than $12,000 so far. (Read more on Patch.)

3. A 55-year-old is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy behind an observation tower at the Jersey Shore, police said. The teen, who is 15, reportedly told police he had lied about his age after fleeing the scene. (Read more on Patch.)

4. Thought new information is coming in about Lara Emanuel's disappearance, authorities are still searching for the North Jersey teacher who went missing on June 7. Authorities have been scouring the woods of Berkshire Valley State Wildlife Management Area, near the hotel where her abandoned car was discovered. Her husband has yet to publicly comment on her disappearance. (Read more on Patch.)

5. Officials say a three-year-old child died Wednesday afternoon from injuries sustained in a self-inflicted gunshot wound. First responders rushed the child to Capital Health Hospital in Trenton, but they did not survive. Trenton's mayor mourned the child's death, calling the incident "horrific." (Read more on Patch.)