WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- More than eight months since Relisha Rudd was last seen alive, and we are still no closer to finding the little girl. October 29 is a significant day in Relisha's life. It's her 9th birthday. Her family had hoped she would be home by now. They would be holding a birthday party with her, watching her blow out candles and giving her presents. Instead, they are still wondering where she is.
The nightmare started in March, when police say Relisha was with Kahlil Tatum, the janitor at DC General where Relisha and her family had been living. Relisha's mother says she asked Tatum to take care of her daughter. Police say video taken from the Holiday Inn on Bladensburg Road was the last time Relisha was seen alive, with Tatum.
It would be weeks before anyone noticed Relisha was gone. Only then did D.C. police launch an investigation into the disappearance of Relisha, a massive manhunt and countless searches for the girl would follow.
The investigation would only produce dead ends, though: her suspected abductor killed his wife before turning the gun on himself.
Friends, family and strangers continued to hold vigils and searches. Everyone, including police, tried to hold out hope, but even D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier would admit that Relish might not ever be found.
"I hate to say that but it is possible. It is possible," Chief Lanier said in a press conference.
After Relisha Rudd went missing in March, criticism surrounded her family. The investigation focused on their response to her disappearance. Relisha's mother, Shamika, her father, her grandparents and her aunt were all involved. Family turmoil, 'he said, she saids,' pointing fingers - yet we are still no closer to finding.
There was plenty of finger-pointing regarding who failed Relisha. An investigation ordered by the mayor found that city workers with the legal duty to report abuse or neglect failed to do so, but the report concluded there was nothing the city could do that would have changed the outcome. Relisha is still missing.
Relisha's mother, Shamika Young, however, said she did nothing wrong. Instead, she placed the blame on others.
"I think it's more that the government could have did, I think the school failed her, too," said Shamika Young.
Police did finally refer charges against Young to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
This month, two members of Relisha's family have been posting videos to Facebook, begging for answers.
"Melissa Young, I just want you to find it in your heart to come forth and tell the truth about what you did," said Tony Wheeler on a cell phone video he posted online on October 16. The video included a rant he directed at Relisha's grandmother. Wheeler's first video goes on for more than 11 minutes and has been viewed nearly 5,000 times. The focus, Wheeler says, is to get answers and call into question what really happened the day Relisha went missing.
"Your daughter loved you, she trusted you with her daughter and you go and give Relisha to this man," said Wheeler. The 'man' he's talking about is Kahlil Tatum, Relisha's alleged abductor and the last person Relisha was seen with alive.
"I just miss her coming and waking up, laying next to me when she would sleep, saying, 'daddy I wanna lay with you tonight,' I miss that," Wheeler said in a second video posted four days after his first. In the second video, Wheeler posed in front of a picture of Relisha, begging the girl's grandmother, Melissa Young, once again to 'come clean.'
"Why Melissa? Why are you lying? Tell the truth. You had my daughter last," said Wheeler.
At the end of the video, Relisha's mother Shamika makes a rare appearance, closing with a prayer.
"Heavenly father, I ask that you touch anyone with information about my daughter. Heavenly father, I ask that you strengthen and guide and give half of my family the courage to tell the truth," said Shamika Young.
Several family members tell WUSA9 they know about the videos but are keeping their focus on Relisha and bringing her home. The family members say they are so emotional right now, especially on her birthday, and plan to honor her Wednesday by releasing balloons.
Tony Wheeler and Shamika Young have not responded to requests for comment.
Wednesday, the Black and Missing Foundation will be searching for Relisha from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Stadium Armory Metro on 19th Street. Anyone is welcome to join.
