WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- DC Mayor Vincent Gray Tuesday called for a review of the District's handling of the Relisha Rudd case and the closure of DC General homeless shelter.
Although the case remains a law-enforcement issue, Gray vowed to ensure a thorough review of the actions of all District government agencies that had contact with the girl prior to her abduction. Read the full statement below:
"I continue to be distressed over the fact that Relisha Rudd remains missing, and my thoughts and prayers remain with her family and loved ones," Mayor Gray said. "While there is no indication that District government agencies or staff failed to fulfill their duties, I will make sure that the District government responded to the facts of this case in a way that was both appropriate and responsible. With that in mind, I've directed Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services BB Otero and Deputy Mayor for Education Abigail Smith to conduct a complete review of all the facts in this matter and to make recommendations if any reforms to the District's policies and practices are warranted."
In addition, my administration is committed to moving as many families out of the D.C. General shelter as quickly as possible through our 500 families, 100 Days initiative, and I've also asked Deputy Mayor Otero and Department of Human Services Director David Berns to develop a plan to close the D.C. General shelter and provide alternative emergency shelter options for District families. We must continue to do everything in our power to protect the District's most vulnerable children."
Rudd has not been seen alive since March 1. Police recently found her suspected abductor, Kahlil Tatum, dead of an apparent suicide in Kenilworth Park.
PHOTOS: Missing AMBER Alert Relisha Rudd
