The Janitor Who Stole Her Away
An 8 year old girl from a troubled home befriends a shelter janitor who showers her with gifts. Soon she vanishes without a trace, leaving a trail of lies and horror.
Relisha Rudd, born October 29, 2005.
Playful, loving, huge personality.
Smart kid who loved school.
Always smiling, teachers favorite.
Cheerleader, Girl Scouts, after school programs.
Dreamed of being a model or singer.
Stunningly beautiful girl.
Caught in generations of abuse.
Neglect, systematic poverty.
Family constantly falling through cracks.
Grew up in shelters herself.
Entered foster care at six.
Stayed until 18, rough childhood.
Had Relisha with Irving Rudd.
Irving: convicted involuntary manslaughter.
Killed his 17 month old daughter, 1992.
15 year sentence, out in 2002.
They had another son too.
Irving sought custody in 2012, denied.
Stepfather, fathered two younger brothers.
Unstable housing for all.
Evicted from Brandywine Street, 2012.
Over 30,000 evictions in Congress Heights.
Fifth time for Shamika in tenant court.
Stayed in motels, then shelters.
Dangerous areas, Relisha scared outside.
CFSA involved since Relisha was two.
Unexplained injuries on toddler.
Social worker concerned, no proof.
More reports of neglect, police called twice.
Temporarily housed family.
Government subsidy, couldnt stay long.
Summer 2013: DC General Family Shelter.
Former hospital, largest in district.
Infested with rats, roaches, bed bugs.
Lice everywhere, raccoons in closets.
Heat fails, freezing temps.
Across from morgue, methadone clinic.
Drug deals, sexual assaults alleged.
Nightly room checks policy.
Shared room with another family.
Strict no employee resident socializing.
Violators terminated immediately.
Back and forth: shelter, Ashleys house.
Relisha hated shelter, called it trap house.
Just a little girl with teddy bear Baby.