DC police release photo of what missing Relisha Rudd might look like now

WASHINGTON — The D.C. police have released a photo of what Relisha Rudd, who disappeared more than four years ago, might look like today.

Rudd disappeared March 1, 2014, at age 8, on Massachusetts Avenue in Southeast D.C. She was reported missing on March 19 of that year. She would be 12 years old now.

Police believe she was kidnapped by a janitor who worked at the D.C. General homeless shelter, where she lived with her family. She was last seen on surveillance video with the janitor, Khalil Tatum, who killed his wife and then himself not long after. His body was found in Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens April 1, 2014.

Her disappearance shed a light on conditions at the shelter, and in response the District has been building a series of newer, smaller shelters for families across the city.

Last year at the groundbreaking for the first one, Mayor Muriel Bowser said, “Our city should not be proud of the conditions at D.C. General or the fact that we had made an old hospital a place for families to live.”

If you know anything about Relisha Rudd’s disappearance or where she may be now, the police are asking you to call them at 202-727-9099 or text 50411. You can also call 911 or Youth and Family Services at 202-576-6768.

Rick Massimo

Rick Massimo came to WTOP, and to Washington, in 2013 after having lived in Providence, R.I., since he was a child. He's the author of "A Walking Tour of the Georgetown Set" and "I Got a Song: A History of the Newport Folk Festival."

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