3-Year-Old Texas Girl Who Went Missing for 5 Months Is Found in Panama with Her Mom, Who Is Then Charged

January 1, 2025 Duy191098 Blog 0

Rilee Crouch disappeared in July in what is being described as a custody dispute

Published on December 31, 2024 02:48PM EST

Rilee June Crouch Missing toddler found and returned to her father five months after vanishing while on vacation
Rilee Crouch. Photo:  Texas Department of Public Safety 

A 3-year-old girl from South Padre Island, Texas, missing since early July has been found alive and with her mom in an alleged custody dispute, according to her family and local news reports.

A spokesperson for the family of Rilee Crouch said that she was located with her mother, Lillian Crouch, in Panama, ValleyCentral and ABC affiliate KRGV reported on Sunday, Dec. 29.

According to ValleyCentral, Rilee was originally dropped off by her father, Dakota Crouch, to stay with her mom on July 2. But when Dakota returned two days later to pick up Rilee, the child and Lillian had disappeared. 

Rilee’s paternal grandmother, Cyndee Bailey, alleged that Lillian kidnapped her while trying to flee to Turkey, according to ValleyCentral. 

After being found in Panama, Rilee and her mom were taken by U.S. Marshals back to the States, KRGV reported.

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A spokesperson for the City of South Padre Island said that upon her arrival back in Harlingen, Texas, Rilee was released into the custody of her father, KRGV reported.

Lillian has been charged in Texas with interference with child custody and contempt of court and appeared before a judge on Monday, according to ValleyCentral.

It was not immediately clear if she has entered a plea or has an attorney who can comment on her behalf.

ValleyCentral reported that Lillian’s bond was set at $100,000 and she will continue to be under house arrest and required to wear a monitoring device. 

In a GoFundMe established to raise funds in the search for Rilee, Dakota described the disappearance of his daughter as a “nightmare.”

“If you or anyone you know has ever been in this horrific situation, you can understand how we feel as a family,” Dakota wrote in the fundraiser description. 

In an Aug. 31 update on the GoFundMe, the family thanked their supporters, adding: “We can’t wait to reunite Rilee back with her baby sister.. they love each other so much.”

The Crouch family and local law enforcement did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment on Tuesday, Dec. 31.