A missing three-year-old girl, Rilee Crouch, has been safely returned to her father, Dakota Crouch, after five long months.
The toddler had vanished with her mother, Lillian Maria Crouch, from their home in South Padre Island, Texas, over the summer.
The case had sparked public concern and rallies in the community as her father desperately sought to locate his daughter.
Rilee was last seen on July 5, when Dakota dropped her off at Lillian’s home. However, two days later, when he returned to pick her up, both Rilee and her mother were gone.
At the time, Dakota was embroiled in a contentious custodial battle with Lillian. After an exhaustive search, it was revealed that Lillian had taken Rilee to Panama as part of a plan to flee to Turkey, according to Rilee’s paternal grandmother.
The breakthrough came on Sunday, December 29, when Lillian and Rilee were escorted by U.S. marshals from Panama City back to Texas.
Upon arrival, Lillian, 29, was arrested at the airport for interference with child custody. Rilee was then immediately reunited with her father, a moment of immense relief for the Crouch family.
READ ALSO: UK Police Seize 6,000 Stolen Bird Eggs in Historic Wildlife Crime Bust
The details of how the mother and daughter were located in Panama have not been disclosed. However, Rilee’s disappearance had captured widespread attention, with local rallies held throughout the summer in hopes of finding her.
In August, Dakota spoke out in a heartbreaking message, saying, “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.”
He had struggled to reach his ex-wife, with Lillian’s phone going straight to voicemail and her lawyers withdrawing from the custody case due to their inability to contact her.
With Lillian’s dual citizenship, there had been fears that she and Rilee may have crossed into Mexico, making the search even more complex. Thankfully, after months of uncertainty, Dakota has now been reunited with his daughter.