Women Charged In Connection With Child's Disappearance
Caregivers Face New Charges In Rilya Wilson Case
POSTED: Wednesday, August 18, 2004
UPDATED: 3:37 pm EDT August 18,
2004
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. -- Miami-Dade County Police announced new charges Wednesday for two women in connection with a young girl who has been missing for more than three years.
Police and State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced at a press conference that Pamela and Geralyn Graham have been arrested in connection to the Rilya Wilson investigation.
The two were the child's caregivers when she disappeared in January 2001.
Pamela Graham is charged abuse and neglect, and Geralyn Graham is charged with kidnapping and aggravated child abuse.
Rilya, who was 5 at the time, had been in state custody. Pamela and Geralyn Graham told the media and police that a Department of Children and Families worker picked up Wilson and they never saw her again. Investigators said today that story was a lie the woman told to cover up the fact that Rilya had disappeared.
Robert Parker, director of the Miami-Dade Police Department, said, "Some information was obtained that essentially corroborated earlier witness statements about issues pertaining to abuse of Rilya … This was really a lie, and I emphasize it was a fabrication or concoction in an attempt by Geralyn Graham to cover up Rilya's disappearence."
Investigators said life for Rilya before her disappearance was not good. They said she was sometimes tied up to a bed, and on some occasions, even locked in an animal cage.
Previous Stories: - April 29, 2004: Rilya Wilson's Social Worker Must Pay Back State
- March 27, 2003: Rilya Wilson Bill Makes Way Through State Senate
- December 17, 2002: More Than 100 Children, Teens Still Missing From State Care
- November 21, 2002: Missing Girl's Sister Adopted
- November 8, 2002: Rilya Wilson Caseworker Pleads Not Guilty
- October 4, 2002: Vigil To Be Held For Rilya Wilson
- July 24, 2002: Rilya's Caretakers Will Not Be Allowed To See Her Sister
- June 18, 2002: Caretakers Of Rilya Wilson Lose Custody Of Little Sister
- June 3, 2002: Sharpton To Enter Rilya Wilson Fray
- May 30, 2002: FDLE Doubles Reward In Rilya Wilson Case
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