FBI offers reward in case of missing D.C. girl, 8
WASHINGTON - The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 in the case of an 8-year-old Wash., D.C. who has been missing since late February and who police say may be with a janitor who worked at a homeless shelter where the girl and her mother had been staying, reports CBS D.C.
Relisha Rudd's disappearance was only brought to the attention of police last week when officials with D.C. Public Schools realized she hadn't been showing up for class.
Kahlil Malik Tatum, the 51-year-old janitor believed to be traveling with the girl, has been charged with murdering his wife, Andrea Tatum, also 51, after she was found shot to death in a Maryland motel room last week.
Prince George's County Police obtained an arrest warrant for Kahlil Tatum and are offering a separate reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to his arrest and indictment, reports the station.
Relisha had been staying at the D.C. General Family Shelter with her mother and stepfather for the past 18 months. Kahlil Tatum worked as a janitor at the shelter and knew Relisha and her family, authorities say, according to the station.
The FBI joined the investigation into Relisha's disappearance last week after two vehicles linked to Relisha were found at the motel where Tatum's wife was found dead.
Police consider Kahlil Tatum to be armed and dangerous.
On Thursday evening, police recovered a white 1976 GMC truck with Maryland tags, believed to be connected to Tatum, in Hyattsville, Md.
Later Thursday, D.C. police notified authorities in Richmond, Va., that Tatum and Relisha may be traveling in that area. Authorities were unable to say why they believed the two may be near the Virginia capital.
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.