Missing
Rilya Shenise Wilson
Rilya, approximately 2001; Age when reported missing: 10 (approximately 2006); Gloria Wilson; Geralyn Graham in 2012; Robin Lunceford; Deborah Muskelly in 2012; Pamela Kendrick in 2012
Date and time person was reported missing : 01/18/2001
Missing location (approx) :
Miami, Florida
Missing classification : Endangered Missing
Gender : Female
Ethnicity :
Black
DOB : 09/29/1996 (24)
Age at the time of disappearance: 4 years old
Height / Weight : 3'0, 40 - 50 pounds
Distinguishing characteristics, birthmarks, tattoos
: African-American female. Black hair, brown eyes. Rilya has a scar approximately five inches below her navel. Her ears are pierced. Some Age at the time of disappearance: ncies give her middle name as "Denise."
Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : Rilya and her two siblings were removed from their mother's custody when Rilya was an infant. They were placed with Geralyn (alternatively spelled "Gerrilyn") Graham, their alleged grandmother or godmother, in Miami, Florida in 2000. Their mother, Gloria Wilson, abused cocaine and neglected her children. Her parental rights were eventually terminated. Photos of Gloria and Graham are posted with this case summary.
Florida's Department Of Children and Families (DCF) was obligated to check on the children's well-being during monthly visits. The final recorded visit for the family took place in early January of 2001, when their social worker, Deborah (sometimes spelled "DeBorah") Muskelly, stopped by Graham's residence. A photo of Muskelly is posted with this case summary.
Graham told authorities that an unidentified African-American female arrived at her home in the 10100 block of southwest 145th Place on January 18, 2001. The individual claimed to work for the DCF and said that she was removing Rilya from the home for an evaluation. Rilya had reportedly been diagnosed with behavioral problems prior to the visit. She has never been heard from again.
Graham said that the alleged abductor spoke with a thick accent that may have been African in origin. The woman, Graham said, was extremely familiar with Rilya's history and said Muskelly was aware of her visit. Graham stated two other people visited her home in February 2001 and requested additional toys to help Rilya become accustomed to her new surroundings.
Muskelly and her supervisor, Willie Harris, resigned from the DCF in March 2002 amid accusations that their records of home visits were fraudulent. The Age at the time of disappearance: ncy contacted Graham during its investigation into Muskelly's records. Authorities learned about Rilya's possible abduction in April 2002, 15 months after the child disappeared.
Graham said that Muskelly was not one of the individuals who visited her home one month after Rilya disappeared. Muskelly's attorney said that his client offered to cooperate with authorities regarding Rilya's case. He also claimed that Muskelly was being used as a scapegoat by the DCF to mask its own internal problems.
Muskelly was criminally charged with 41 counts, including grand theft, relating to her deficiency at her job. She pleaded guilty to one count of official misconduct and had the grand theft charge adjudicated, and was sentenced to five years' probation. The other 39 charges were dropped.
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