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Trial Delayed Again In Rilya Wilson Murder Case

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – The delays continue in the murder trial of a woman accused in the case of missing South Florida foster child Rilya Wilson, who disappeared over a decade ago.

Tuesday, a Miami-Dade County judge set a new July 23rd trial date for Rilya's former caretaker Geralyn Graham. The trial had been set to begin March 26.

Rilya was a 4-year-old foster child who disappeared in late 2000 and has never been found.

The 66-year-old Graham is facing first-degree murder, kidnapping and child abuse charges.

Prosecutors are relying heavily on testimony from jail inmates who claim Graham confessed to them that she smothered the child and disposed of the body near a lake. No trace of Rilya has ever been found.

Graham has denied killing the young girl.

It took 15 months for state child welfare officials to discover Rilya was missing. Florida's child welfare agency was overhauled after Rilya's disappearance but is still accused of lax oversight.

Graham faces life in prison if convicted in the little girl's slaying.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

 

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