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CNN Live Today

Mystery of Rilya Wilson Continues

Aired June 03, 2002 - 14:00   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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: We begin this hour in Florida with the ongoing mystery of Rilya Wilson. The foster child whose disappearance went unnoticed for more than a year won't be at a town hall meeting tonight in Miami, but she's the driving force behind it.

CNN's Susan Candiotti joins us now with a preview -- Susan.

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.

Yes, we are expecting to be hearing from all kinds of people at this town hall meeting tonight, which will be held at a Baptist church in Miami.

The town hall meeting was organized by a Florida representative who has expressed concern about not only the Rilya Wilson case, but how other foster children are being cared for in the state of Florida, and perhaps more importantly, how many other children might be missing.

We now know since Rilya Wilson disappeared, or was last accounted for, back in January of 2001, that's when a case worker last filed a report about her, that there are other cases that are coming to light.

We don't know exactly how many, because the state of Florida is supposed to be issuing a report that was supposed to be available at noon time today -- a couple of hours ago. We have been checking literally every half-hour, still no report.

However, we have also asked whether the Florida governor, Jeb Bush, would be available for comment about these numbers when they come out. We are told, no, he's not available today.

What about the woman who heads up the state agency in charge of these children? We were told, no, she's not available either today.

Well, at the town hall meeting we do know that the local administrator for child welfare agency will be there to answer questions, as well as other lawmakers and other concerned citizens who will be there.

In the meantime you may ask, where is Rilya Wilson? We don't know. Police tell us they have no hard leads to go on at this case. Despite their many efforts and a $50,000 reward, no one knows at this time the whereabouts of five-year-old Rilya Wilson -- Carol. LIN: And that is the tragedy of this. Thank you very much, Susan Candiotti, with the latest there.

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