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Amber Alert issued for DC girl who may be in Richmond area

Posted at 5:48 AM, Mar 21, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-21 08:09:28-04

(WTVR) — The search for an 8-year-old girl from Washington D.C. has stretched into the Richmond area, as police look for Relisha Tenau Rudd.

Richmond Police said they spotted the pickup truck of the accused abductor here in the Metro Thursday. But it’s unclear if Relisha or the person believed to have taken her are still in the area.

An Amber Alert was issued Thursday after a counselor at Relisha’s school noticed she had not been in class since the end of February. And what makes the case even more complicated–according to recent reports–the little girl’s mother refused to file a missing person’s report. Police said Relisha may be with Kahlil Tatum, 51, who family members said is the boyfriend of the girl’s mother. Tatum was also a janitor at a D.C. homeless shelter where Relisha and her mother were staying.

Through the course of their search, police were led to a Maryland hotel room where they found a woman’s body. They have not released who the woman is or how she died. But the case may be connected to the disappearance of Relisha.

Detectives said the little girl may be in need of medication. If you have any information on Relisha or Tatum’s whereabouts call the Metropolitan Police Department at 202-727-9099 or 911.