Missing for 20 months, Relisha Rudd’s family celebrates her 10th birthday
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Version 0 of 1. Celebrating what would be her 10th birthday, about 45 people gathered in the District on Saturday to release balloons for Relisha Rudd, who has been missing for 20 months. “I’m always thinking about her,” said Shamika Young, Relisha’s mother, moments after watching a large collection of balloons rise into the cloudy, late afternoon skies at the Deanwood Recreation Center in Northeast Washington. Next to her was Relisha’s grandmother, Melissa Young. With a tear on her cheek, she talked about one of the balloons falling back to the ground somewhere, and Relisha grabbing it. “I’m praying that she will; hopefully she will,” Melissa Young said. Relisha was last seen alive March 1, 2014, in the company of a 51-year-old custodian who worked at a homeless shelter where she lived with her family. Police said that man, Kahlil Malik Tatum, killed his wife and himself as the authorities were probing Relisha’s whereabouts. Police later classified their search for the young girl as a “recovery mission.” Relisha’s birthday was Oct. 29. Many who gathered Saturday knew very well that Relisha could be dead. Finding her remains would be important, they said, as is holding out hope that she is alive. The crowd watched a performance by six members of the StarrFire dance group, who ranged from about 8 to 13 years old. That Relisha could have been the seventh dancer wasn’t lost on those watching. “This little girl stole my heart,” said Brenda Brown, who helped organize Saturday’s gathering. “We just can’t forget this child.” |