Accused DC child abductor charged in wife's murder

WASHINGTON - A man accused of abducting an 8-year-old D.C. girl is being charged with murder after his wife's body was discovered in a Maryland motel room, reports CBS DC.

Police in Prince George's County say they obtained an arrest warrant charging Kahlil Malik Tatum, 51, of Southeast Washington, with murdering his wife, Andrea Denise Tatum. Her body was found Thursday, dead from an apparent gunshot wound, at the Red Roof Inn in Oxon Hill, Md. Authorities identified two vehicles at the scene believed to be linked to 8-year-old Relisha Tenau Rudd, who was reported missing last week.

According to CBS DC, Relisha had been staying at the D.C. General Family Shelter - where Kahlil Tatum worked as a janitor - with her mother and stepfather for a year and a half. Authorities said Relisha and her family knew Kahlil Tatum prior to the girl's disappearance.

Officers in Hyattsville recovered a white 1976 GMC truck with Maryland tags on Thursday. The vehicle is believed to be connected to Tatum, according to the station.

Police believe Relisha is with Kahlil Tatum, who may be armed and dangerous, traveling on foot or possibly in a different vehicle, CBS DC reports.

Relisha's disappearance was brought to the attention of police on Wednesday when officials with D.C. Public Schools realized she hadn't been showing up for class. Authorities later determined she had been missing since February.

The young girl's stepfather says she suffers from severe migraines and may be in need of medication.

Relisha is described as a black female, 4 feet tall and weighing between 70 and 80 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes, and a medium complexion.

Police ask anyone with information on Relisha's whereabouts to call the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-9099, the Youth Investigations Division at 202-576-6768, or 911.