Judge cuts bail for caregivers of missing girl

Geralyn and Pamela Graham are accused of cheating the state. They took care of Rilya Wilson.

By Associated Press
October 8, 2002

MIAMI -- A judge drastically cut bail Monday for the caregivers of Rilya Wilson, who were jailed on welfare fraud charges generated by police investigating the girl's disappearance.

Bail for Geralyn Graham, who claimed she was the girl's grandmother, was reduced from $600,000 to $150,000. Circuit Judge Daryl Trawick cut the $140,000 bail for Pamela Graham to $15,000.

Attempting to keep the high bail amounts in place, prosecutors questioned the women's claim that they are sisters.

Assistant State Attorney Sandra Miller showed the judge a greeting card seized at the women's home that Miller said was sent by Pamela Graham to her "wife" Geralyn. Geralyn Graham's son, Leo Epson, who has been jailed on related charges, "stated plain and simple that they were not sisters but were companions and shared the same bed," said Miller. Relatives have told police about a civil union ceremony for the two women, and one of Pamela Graham's co-workers told investigators the women are known as a couple, Miller added.

In remarks that stirred a political furor, Gov. Jeb Bush joked to some visiting legislators about the Grahams' sexual orientation shortly after being briefed on their arrests Wednesday.

The women are charged with fleecing the state out of more than $14,000 in public assistance since 1999, including aid paid after Rilya was placed in their home. Rilya, whose sixth birthday was Sept. 29, was born to a cocaine addict and was taken into state custody.

Authorities said they hoped the fraud arrests of the Grahams and Geralyn Graham's son and daughter would squeeze more information on Rilya's disappearance out of them.

The Grahams say she was taken from their home in January 2001 by a woman claiming to be a child protection worker. The Department of Children and Families denies sending anyone but didn't realize the girl was missing until April. Before deciding the issue of bail, the judge cited Geralyn Graham's extensive family ties in Miami but also noted prosecution arguments that she has used 46 names and forged Rilya's custody papers as part of an aid application.

"This case is about a defendant who alters her identity at the drop of a hat," Miller said. After hearing both sides, Trawick concluded that Geralyn Graham was a flight risk. As for Pamela Graham, the judge said he would impose higher than minimal bail but not "anywhere near close" to what prosecutors wanted.

Trial was set for Jan. 13.

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