Voices for Justice is a podcast that uses adult language and discusses sensitive and potentially triggering topics including violence, abuse and murder.

This podcast may not be appropriate for younger audiences. All parties are innocent until

proven guilty in a court of law. Some names have been changed or omitted per their request or for safety

purposes.

Listener discretion is advised.

My name is Sarah Turnie and this is Voices for Justice. Today I'm bringing you the story of 4 year old Rilia Wilson. In the year 2000,

Rilia was living with her sister and foster parents in the Miami, Florida area.

During this time, all documentation indicates that her caseworker was checking on her regularly

and making visits to the home, specifically notating that all was well with her care.

But by April 2002, the Florida Department of Children and Families assigned a new

caseworker to oversee Rilia's care.

And when they went to go do a home visit, they discovered that no one had seen Rilia in nearly

two years. Her case has since sparked legislation that has changed the

Florida foster care system forever, but nearly 25 years later,

really as whereabouts are still unknown. This is the disappearance of

Rilia Wilson. Remember, I love you always. This is the phrase turned acronym that inspired Rilia's name.

On September 29, 1996, Rilia was born into a challenging life.

Her mom, Gloria, suffered from substance use disorder and used during her pregnancy.

Gloria knew that she was struggling and couldn't provide the care that

really needed so she arranged for a woman named Pamela Hendrik to care for her.

Pamela Kendrick is the daughter-in-law of one of Gloria's close family friends, so she took

Rilia to her home in Brownsville, Florida and cared for her for the first three years

...