Press Releases

MIAMI, FL – Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), will attend the murder trial of Geralyn Graham with Rilya Wilson’s 18 year old sister, at 9:00am, at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building, located at 1351 N.W. 12^th street, Miami, Florida. The 18 year old and her adoptive parents contacted Congresswoman Wilson to ask if they could join the Congresswoman at the trial. The 18 year old was six when her younger sister went missing. Geralyn Graham is charged with first degree murder, kidnapping and aggravated child abuse in connection with the 2001 disappearance of Rilya. Rilya was a four year old foster child and in the care of Graham’s live-in partner, when she went missing. It was months before the Florida Department of Children and Families discovered that Rilya had disappeared. Congresswoman Wilson, a staunch supporter of Rilya, held out hope for many years that the child would be found alive. When the Congresswoman was a state senator her advocacy, on behalf of Rilya, led to sweeping changes within the Florida Department of Children and Families and passage of The Rilya Wilson Act, in 2003. To this date, Rilya has not been found.

The Rilya Wilson Act, which passed on July 16, 2003, makes it mandatory for children in DCF custody to attend school. An absence would put procedures in motion to locate the child immediately. Congresswoman Wilson continues her fight for Rilya in Congress. She has sponsored a federal adaptation of The Rilya Wilson Act that says states must have procedures in place to report missing children to law enforcement, for entry into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database and to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This bipartisan bill has more than 100 co-sponsors and is supported by the South Florida Congressional Delegation.

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U.S. Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term Congresswoman from Florida representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and school principal, she is the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.