Search Continues For Missing D.C. Girl; More Photos Released

WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- Police make a renewed plea for information in the Amber Alert for a missing 8-year-old. New photos have been released of the little girl and the man she's believed to be with. She hasn't been seen for weeks.

Christie Ileto explains the search has expanded up and down the East Coast.

Police are working to catch a kidnapper, releasing new photos of Khalil Tatum, a janitor at the homeless shelter where missing 8-year-old Relisha Rudd and her family were staying.

Police say Rudd's been missing for weeks. The FBI is now offering a $25,000 reward.

"We're looking for a girl that we believe has not been seen for at least a couple of weeks," said Cathy Lanier, D.C. Police Chief. "First and foremost, our primary goal is to find this little girl. That's what every effort is being made to do."

The latest photo highlights a distinct tattoo on Tatum's arm. Police hope this will make him easier to identify.

"He's always taken her and always brought her back," said Rudd's grandmother.

Her family says Tatum would sometimes take Rudd out for the day---but this time was different.

Police say she was last seen around Feb. 26. On March 19, a school counselor noticed she hadn't been attending. An Amber Alert was issued the next day and Tatum's wife's body was later discovered in an Oxon Hill hotel. That same night, another Amber Alert was sent out. Friday, Tatum was charged with his wife's murder.

An Amber Alert has been issued in states up and down the 95 corridor from Pennsylvania to Florida. Police say many officers are investigating.

"We have recovered every vehicle that has been associated with this case within 24 hours of putting out the Amber Alert," Lanier said.

That includes Tatum's SUV outside the hotel and later a white truck they believe may be connected. There's been no signs of Rudd and that's little comfort for her anxious family.

Police say Tatum could have Rudd traveling by foot or in a different vehicle.

Rudd is about 4 feet tall, weighing between 70 and 80 pounds. Anyone with information should call police at 202-727-9099.

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