Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-07
Bonds Of Father and Step
mother of Edith Riley, II,
Raised to $500.
BROTHER is PRINCIPAL
WITNESS AT HEARING
Girl. Emaciated and Pale, Is Car
ried Into Police Court Room
by Attendant.

The story of a 12-year-old girl, al
Iegedly held virtual prisoner in closet
for four years beaten by her step
mother and deprived of sufficient food,
was unfolded in Police Court today by
the child's brother, a 15-year-o ld
Langley Junior High School student.
Judge Isaac R. Hit, after hearing
the boys testimony, ordered Lester
Newman Riley and Mrs. Elsie Riley, the
girls father and stepmother, held for
action Of the grand jury.
Despite the protests or counsel for the
accused couple, he ordered their bonds
increased from $1,000 to $4,000, which
was posted.
THE circumstances OF this case are
so grave" said Judge Hit. that I be-
lieve the smaller bonds inadequate"
Girl Carried Into Court.
The principal witness this morning
was Francis Riley, who said he had
seen his sister, Edith, IL, only or 10
times during the past year.
Edith. wrapped in a blanket, was car
ried into the court room by an attend
ant. The child was emaciated and ex-
tremely pale. but followed the proceed
ings with some interest
Assistant United States Attorney
Michael Keogh asked the child three
questions, all of which she answered.
Her replies were made in voice so
low that they could be heard only a
few feet away.
How old are you?" the prosecutor
asked.
Twelve" Edith replied.
What is your name?"
Edith"
Where d. you liye?"
In a hospital"
Francis, questioned by Keogh, said
his sister was kept upstairs during the
Winter and brought down into a small
cubicle off the bath room in warmer
weather. The only equipment in this
room, he said, was a blanket on the
floor and a pan OF water.
Saw Sister Two Weeks Ago.
Did'they feed your sister regularity"
I don't know" Francis answered,
sometimes I heard her say she was
hungry"
The last time he saw his sister he
said, was about week ago. She was
in the closet at that time, he said.
Bertrand Emerson, counsel for the
father and stepmother, asked the boy
Wnen MS sister was leo.
whenever there was enough left over
from our dinner" he replied. IF there
wasn't anything left over she didn't get
anything
The boy said he had seen doctors ex-
aiming the child two or three times.
The last time she was seen by physi-
sian, he said, was about two years ago.
He said he had heard the doctors dis
cuss with his parents the ACCESSIBILITY
of placing his sister in an asylum or a
home, but that his father had always
objected. declaring he wanted to keep
the child and care for her in his home.
Testifies About Beatings.
Assistant United States Attorney
Keogh then asked the boy who had
beaten the girl.
My stepmother used to beat her, "
he said. Father never laid a hand on
her"
She (the stepmother) used to kick
her in the face and make her head
bleed. l saw her beaten about Is diff
| ferent times. One day while l was
making up the beds she hit Edith with
the heel of shoe and knocked some
of her teeth out"
The boy said he had seen no one beat
the child during the past year, but had
heard noises that led him to believe she
was beaten.
TIL only other witness called by the
Government was Mrs. Ruby Brandt OF
the Women's Bureau. She said she
! went to the house yesterday and found
| the child sitting on a blanket in the
closet adjoining the bathroom.
We forced the door to get in" she
said, and found the child sitting there.
| There was nothing in the room except
the blankets and small pan of water
The child just sat there and stared
at us dumbly"
Taken Before Jury Clerk.
1 1t was Mrs. Brandt who procured the
/ warrant for the arrest of Mr.. and Mrs.
Continued on Page 2. Column A.