Jury convicts Fla woman of abuse, kidnapping of missing foster child; mistrial on murder count
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A South Florida woman has been convicted of kidnapping and child abuse in the case of 4-year-old foster child Rilya Wilson, who disappeared more than 12 years ago. A mistrial was declared on a murder charge.
Jurors said Friday they were unable to resolve their 11-1 split on that murder count against 67-year-old Geralyn Graham. She was convicted of kidnapping and three child abuse counts following an eight-week trial.
Rilya vanished in late 2000, but her disappearance was not discovered for 15 months. That lapse led to high-level resignations at the state Department of Children and Families and passage of child welfare reform laws.
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Rilya's body has never been found. Prosecutors relied heavily on testimony by jailhouse informants who said Graham confessed to them behind bars.
Graham maintained her innocence.