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CNN Live Today

Body Found in Missouri Not That of Missing Florida Child

Aired May 10, 2002 - 12:18   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: Now to another story we've been watching throughout the morning. The case of that Florida five-year- old, Rilya Wilson, missing for more than a year. The search still on now after word that genetic testing revealed a body found in Missouri is not that of Rilya. And, as we mentioned earlier, police in Miami raising questions today about two Florida sisters that were charged with the child's care.

With more in Miami, here's Susan Candiotti tracking all of this for us -- Susan, good afternoon.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Bill.

Police are admittedly frustrated because of very few promising leads about the case of missing five-year-old Rilya Wilson. And now on top of this DNA information, police are revealing that the two women who took care of the youngster showed deception on their lie detector tests. These polygraphs were taken just last week voluntarily by the women.

Now police would not say if they failed so-called control questions about their background, for example, or questions directly related to the missing little girl. The attorney for the woman who believe she is the paternal grandmother of Rilya Wilson, Geralyn Graham, says both women were under considerable stress at the time. Police had just told them that their little Rilya might possibly be the missing and unidentified murdered youngster in Kansas City, Missouri.

Police emphasize they are not calling anyone a suspect at this time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CARLOS ALVAREZ, MIAMI-DADE POLICE: The more people we talk to that are involved in this case, that supposedly saw the child, we have found out that they haven't been quite honest with us and, you know, are withholding some information and maybe telling us some things that really didn't happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: Now police investigators say that includes child welfare employees. Investigators have not yet spoken with the caseworker who knew little Rilya Wilson, but they do plan to do so.

Meantime, in Kansas City, we've been telling you all morning that there is no DNA match between Rilya Wilson and Precious Doe. And Police there had intended to call a news conference at 2:00 Eastern Time; however, they have now canceled that news conference, but are officially confirming that there is no DNA match.

And so, Bill, with each passing day, the trail is getting colder and colder. It's been 16 months now since child welfare agency can not account for anyone having seen Rilya Wilson.

HEMMER: And, Susan, there is speculation -- not really speculation, but there is talk about the physical condition and the physical state of the caretaker. She said that she was the grandmother. What are we learning in terms of the facts about her condition either now or in years past?

CANDIOTTI: Her condition -- well her physical condition, she does suffer from arthritis. She does take a lot of medication and authorities also say -- or rather her attorney says that that might have had some bearing on the lie detector test as well. There has never been a blood test to determine who is the father of Rilya Wilson, and that's why there is some question as to whether she really is the paternal grandmother of Rilya.

But the fact of the matter is, is she was given the care of the little girl, along with her sister. Technically, the little girl was in the care of the sister of the grandmother. And the grandmother admits that many years ago she did do time for food stamp fraud. She was charged in the past with passing worthless checks, having used aliases. However, she says the past is the past. And she told CNN specifically -- quote -- "I've never done anything violent in my life." And she denies that she had anything to do with missing Rilya.

HEMMER: All right. Susan, thanks -- Susan Candiotti. A story that continues to be somewhat depressing for many of us watching that. Susan, live in Miami, thanks to you.

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