At exactly 7:45 p.m. a chorus of rings burst out from cell phones in the Loudoun County area for the second time in less than a week with the accompanying grim message, “Amber Alert.” This text is just one of the newest government alerts that have taken advantage of the widespread use of technology to spread critical information to a large population. While the majority of students received this alert, little information was given other than  2004 Freightliner Tractor, the model of car the child was last seen in, and Lebanon, VA, the last known sighting location.

Later, through other various news stations more information was released regarding the missing child who turned out to be eight year old Relisha Rudd. She is described as being four foot tall, approximately 80 pounds, and African American with black hair and brown eyes. She was first reported missing by her elementary school counselor who was required to report her  missing after she had failed to show up for school for several weeks.

In the beginning, Metropolitan police suspected Kahlil Tatum, the janitor at the homeless shelter, where Rudd lived with her mother, and his friend Ricky Lyles but Lyles was later eliminated as a suspect. The investigation is now focused solely Tatum who had actually received permission from the family to spend time with their daughter before, but had failed to bring her back this time.

With Tatum as their main suspect, police started searching for his car, which eventually lead them to Washington DC at the Oxon Hill Red Roof Inn parking lot where the car had been spotted at. This discovery incited the police into going door to door at the Inn in search for the girl which lead to the first horrific discovery in the case. In a bottom room nearby where the car had been parked, a woman’s body had been found, her death a result of blunt force trauma. Police believe that her death may in some way be related to the missing girl and have cautioned the public that Tatum may be armed and is considered to be dangerous.

While Lucas Guinn, the first Amber Alert, was found early March 21 with his non custodial parent and abductor, Lucas Guinn,  Rudd still remains missing. A hotline has opened up in the number 202-727-9099 for those who may have information on the missing girl and despite the rather gruesome turn the case had taken with the discovery at the Inn, police are still hopeful that the girl will be found unharmed.