Geralyn Graham Will Not Face Murder Charge In Rilya Wilson Case
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The South Florida woman convicted of kidnapping and child abuse in the case of missing 4-year-old foster child Rilya Wilson will not be tried for murder.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office announced Wednesday that it will not pursue a murder charge against Geralyn Graham.
The 68-year-old Graham was sentenced earlier this year to 55 years in prison on kidnapping and child abuse charges, but jurors deadlocked on the murder count.
In the memo released by the Miami-Dade State Attorney's office which recommended the murder charge be dismissed, it cites numerous difficulties with another trial, including the fact that Rilya's body was never found.
Rilya disappeared in December of 2000 from Graham's home. Her disappearance wasn't discovered for 15 months, largely because a Department of Children and Families caseworker neglected to check on her.
The state's case hinged on jailhouse informants who say Graham confessed to them. Graham insists she is innocent.
