Missing toddler found and returned to her father five months after vanishing while on vacation
Topics: US News, Texas, Social Media
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Dakota Lee Crouch/Facebook / WHERE IS RILEE CROUCH
Topics: US News, Texas, Social Media
A three-year-old has been safely returned to her family after going missing for five months.
In July, Dakota Crouch dropped of toddler Rilee Crouch with her mom in South Padre Island, Texas.
However, it would be the last time the father would see his young daughter for five months.
When Dakota Crouch returned to Lilian Buntin Crouch's house two days later, it's reported he found his daughter and her mother missing.
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Rilee's aunt took to Facebook on August 1 to share a description of the young child in the hopes of locating her.
The post reads: "Rilee June Crouch. Age: 3 years old
"Last Seen: July 2nd, 2024 in South Padre Island, TX. Description: Light/medium brown hair, hazel brown eyes, and pink nose freckle.
"Contact: Cyndee Bailey 512-552-1111, 512-839-4343, Cameron County Sheriff’s Department.
"My brother Dakota Lee Crouch dropped her off with Rilee’s Mother, Lillian Buntin Crouch on 7/2/2024 and hasn’t seen her since. Please share this post to help us find my niece, Rilee June Crouch and bring her home safely. Your help is greatly appreciated. #MissingPerson #HelpFindRilee #southpadreisland. We miss our Rilee girl and our family is worried about her and her safety."
A missing person poster by The Aware Foundation of Virginia and Texas Department of Public Safety added Rilee was 'in the company of her non-custodial mother' and 'a warrant' had also been 'issued' for the mom too.
Dakota also spoke out in August, telling Valley Central: "Wherever you are, Rilee, know that I’m fighting for you. I love you, and I’m not ever going to give up on you. I’m still here, and I’ll see you soon.
"[...] This was the third go around of times that [Lily] has denied me visitations. She had already been warned by the judge to please stop this and this time it has taken a turn for the worse. She is unable to be located at all."
However, an update on the whereabouts of both Rilee and Lily has since been released.
A spokesperson for the Crouch family confirmed to KRGV Rilee has since been found.
Leslie Blasing said Rilee and her mom were located in Panama and escorted back to Harlingen by US Marshals.
When the pair arrived in Harlingen, it's reported Rilee was returned to the care of her father.
Lilian Maria Crouch was taken into custody, accused of abducting Rilee and taking her to Mexico before then going to Central America and Europe.
She was arraigned and charged with interference with child custody and contempt of court, as per Valley Central, and is being held on a bond of $100,000 with a number of conditions including not 'committing any other offence against the state of Texas' and surrendering her passport.
UNILAD has contacted the City of South Padre Island Police Department for comment.