New Jersey's attorney general says he'll review Gloucester County's response to the disappearance of the 12-year-old Clayton girl later found slain.

 

Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean Dalton
Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean Dalton and law enforcement leaders who helped in the Autumn Pasquale investigation. (WCAU TV)
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Great-uncle and family spokesman Paul Spadofora claims the county initially treated the case like an adult disappearance rather than launching a more intensive search required in juvenile cases. He said he would ask the attorney general to investigate.

"“We would have liked a faster response,”  Anthony Pasquale, Autumn’s father told the Star Ledger. Autumn’s mother, Jennifer Cornwell, added that it was a “slow process."

In a statement, Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean Dalton said his office "poured their hearts and souls into this investigation and worked around the clock to find Autumn." He said from the time she was reported missing on Saturday night "the law enforcement response was continuous and obvious throughout Clayton."

Spadafora would likely disasgree. “He called it swift justice,” Spadafora told the Star Ledger. “We’re asking for a swifter response.”He added, “At 12 years old, they could have done something better and quicker.”

The state said Wednesday it hadn't received a formal complaint from the family of Autumn Pasquale  But the office of Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa says it has been talking with the Gloucester County prosecutor and will get full details on the response.

Prosecutors say about 50 law officers took part in the search the night she was reported missing. Two teenage brothers are charged with murder in her death.

Chiesa says he appreciates the family's need to know "everything possible was done for their daughter."

STATEMENT FROM GLOUCESTER COUNTY PROSECUTOR SEAN DALTON

From the time Autumn Pasquale was reported missing by her family at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, the law enforcement response was continuous and obvious throughout Clayton.  The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office’s investigative units poured their hearts and souls into this investigation and worked around the clock to find Autumn. I am proud of what they did under such difficult circumstances.  This is a time to start the healing process and let the justice system move forward with this case.


 The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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