The D.C. Council is examining safety procedures at the city's family homeless shelter following the disappearance of an 8-year-old girl who was living there with her mother and brothers.
Police say Relisha Rudd was last seen March 1. She was believed to be in the company of a janitor at the shelter, Kahlil Tatum. Police have charged Tatum with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of his wife, whose body was found in a Maryland motel room the morning after authorities started searching for Relisha.
Police searched for Relisha in a park in northeast Washington on Thursday, calling it a "recovery operation.''
"We cannot ignore the possibility that [Tatum] may have killed her," D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said during a press conference. "Given the circumstances right now, we are fearful of leaving any stones unturned."
Investigators say Tatum was seen purchasing a shovel, trash bags and lime earlier this month. The search within Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens -- a heavily wooded area -- could take weeks, police said.
Friday's D.C. Council hearing is meant to review procedures to ensure the safety of residents at the homeless shelter, especially children.
A $70,000 reward is being offered by the FBI and Prince George's County Police for information leading to Relisha and Tatum. Call 911 if you have seen either of them.
