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CNN Live Today

Panel's Investigation Into Rilya Wilson Case Hits Roadblock

Aired May 09, 2002 - 13:53   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: I want to get an update right now on that disturbing case in Florida, that missing girl, who disappeared while in state custody. A panel's investigation into the Rilya Wilson case has hit a roadblock. But police may be getting closer to new information.

Susan Candiotti live in Miami, tracking this for us.

Susan, good afternoon. What are we learning?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Bill.

Well, while the search for Rilya Wilson, little 5-year-old, who's been unaccounted for 15 months, 16 months now, continues, expectations are rising in Kansas City where a DNA test is under way.

Authorities there are comparing DNA, a sample taken from Rilya Wilson's mother who lives in Cleveland, Ohio, with DNA taken from a little girl named "Precious Doe." That is little girl who's mutilated body was discovered last year, and a few months after Rilya Wilson was last accounted for in Miami.

Now, we have a picture of Precious Doe and Rilya Wilson, two side by side, where you can see the comparison in terms of similarities.

Apparently that's not available right now.

But we can tell you that Rilya Wilson's caretaker here in Miami does not think that there will be a DNA match, because Precious Doe is said to have a birthmark on one of her shoulders, and the caretaker says that Rilya Wilson does not.

Now, in a related matter, a blue ribbon panel set up by Florida Governor Jeb Bush held its first meeting yesterday to look into the Rilya Wilson case. And another meeting scheduled for tomorrow. But so far, the child welfare agency here in Florida has refused to turn over Rilya Wilson's case file to the blue ribbon panel, because the agency says that the matter is under criminal investigation.

Also, on Friday, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, at his request, will get a personal briefing from police or investigating the case. Meantime, the woman police call Rilya Wilson's grandmother says she remained convinced that the little girl is alive.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GERALYN GRAHAM, RILYA'S WILSON CARETAKER: I still believe, and will believe until the day I die, they are going to come up with her, because of the fact, I wouldn't be doing all this if I didn't think somebody out there has seen her. Somebody knows something.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: But since the story broke, Bill and all of its massive publicity surrounding the case, not one person has come forward to say that they recognize Rilya Wilson, or that they've seen her, and that worries the authorities and her family looking for the little girl.

HEMMER: Indeed. Susan, thank you. Susan Candiotti, the latest in the Rilya Wilson case in Florida. Thanks.

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