Rally for Rilee: Father searches for missing 3-year-old daughter

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — A father has not lost hope in the search for his 3-year-old daughter who went missing at South Padre Island.

Dakota Crouch has received continued support from the South Padre Island community to bring his daughter Rilee back home.

Dakota held a rally with family and friends Saturday to spread the word about Rilee’s disappearance in hopes that she will make a safe return.

As previously reported on ValleyCentral, Dakota says he last saw Rilee when he returned her back home to her mother on July 2.

Just two days later, when Dakota went to pick Rilee up, both his daughter and the child’s mother were gone.

According to the DPS missing persons bulletin , Rilee’s disappearance has been described as a family abduction.

DPS adds that Rilee is in the company of her non-custodial mother, Lillian Maria Crouch.

“My daughter’s been missing for 65 days now,” Dakota said. “It’s been long enough.”

Supporters rallied along the intersection of Laguna Boulevard with photos of Rilee on shirts and banners.

Dakota has an unwavering faith that he will reunite with Rilee one day.

“Our faith has been so strong throughout this time. It’s been very hard on our family and our community to know that this is going on,” Dakota said. “But, we have faith in the Lord. You know he’s gonna do what’s right.”

Dakota urges anyone with information on Rilee’s or the mother’s whereabouts to contact South Padre Island authorities or DPS.

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