Janitor Suspected Of Abducting 8-Year-Old Gave Gifts To Other Homeless Girls

Janitor Suspected Of Abducting 8-Year-Old Gave Gifts To Other Homeless Girls

A janitor wanted for allegedly killing his wife and abducting an 8-year-old girl had contact with other girls at the Washington, D.C. homeless shelter where he worked, police said.

This news comes as authorities plan a search this weekend of Kenilworth Park in northeastern D.C. to find Relisha Rudd, WTTG-TV reports.

Rudd was last seen on March 1 in the company of Kahlil Malik Tatum, the 51-year-old janitor. Tatum was seen on March 2 buying 42-gallon contractor trash bags, and later that day near the aquatic gardens of the 700-acre park.

The body of his wife, Andrea Tatum, was found in a Maryland motel.

Khahlil Malik Tatum was allegedly picked up from the motel by another man on March 20. Tatum vanished soon after that but police suspect he might be in Atlanta where he has ties, the Associated Press reports.

The FBI added him to the most wanted list on Wednesday.

Rudd's mother said she trusted Tatum to be with her daughter. Other parents in the homeless shelter that formerly was D.C. General Hospital told the Washington Post that Tatum regularly gave $20 bills and other presents to girls living there.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier said her department is investigating Tatum's interactions with the other children and their families. Rules at the shelter forbid employees from fraternizing with the residents, the Post reports.

Rudd's prolonged absence from school triggered the search for her. Police believe that Tatum posed as the girl's doctor, telling school officials over the phone that she was sick.

Lanier has said the search for Rudd is a "recovery operation," but that "we have not given up hope that we may still find Relisha alive."

kahlil malik tatum
Khalil Malik Tatum

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