Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08
GIRL CAPTIVE CASE
. SET FOR Jury QUIZ
Parents Accused of Impris-
oning Child Four Years
Face Probe.

The District grand jury tomorrow
will investigate charges that l2-year-
old Edith Riley was confined four years
In closet, beaten by her stepmother
and neglected by her father.
The jury will be asked to indict the
parents, Harry Newman Riley and Mrs.
Elsie Riley. under q section Of the Dis
trict of Columbia Code covering the
mistreatment of children. The max
imum penalty. upon conviction, is o
fine of $3.50 and two years imprison-
ment.
The stepmother has denied mistreat-
ing the child, asserting that she cared
for her as though she were her own
daughter.
Charge Child Held Captive.
Edith, described by her parents as
mentally deficient. Is said to have been
kept a virtual prisoner in . small
closet adjoining the bath room In their
home at ITO Rhode Island avenue.
The girls 15-year-old brother, Fran
els, told Judge Isaac r. Hit In Police
Court yesterday that the stepmoEher
had beaten the child about as different
times.
Sometimes she kicked Edith" the
boy said, and once she hit her with
the heel Of a shoe and Knocked out
some teeth"
Says Sister Unfed.
He also said his sister was not fed
regularly and had complained Of be-
ing hungry. Francis Is expected to
be one Of the prosecutions principal
witnesses before the grand jury.
It was testified in court that the
father had considered placing the girl
against such a move, In the belief
she would get better care in her own
home. Francis said his father neve9
struck Edith.
Over the protests Of Defense Attors
ney Bertrand Emerson, Judge Hitt ore
dered the couple held In $2,600 bond
each. Previously, following their ars
rest Friday evening, their bend ha4
been $1,000.
Quarters Said PooE.
Mrs. Rudy Brandt, . policewcaeA
testified she found the child tn eh&S
closet when she went to tina Riley
home Friday, while the stepnotheR Wa4
away She said there was no ventilAS
ton in the closet and that the o0ly
equipment was a blanket for the WiS9
to sit on and pan Of water.
The pale and emaciated child WaA
brought into court, wrapped In blame
ket. In response to questions by Ass
sistant United States Attorney Michael
Keogh, she gave her name, age and
said she lived in hospital.
The girl Is being kept in GallingeT
Hospital, while the brother Is staying
temporarily with an aunt. Mrs. Lula
Reed, 1414 v street.
Mrs. Riley told reporter from The
Star the charges that she mistreated
the child were untrue and inspired by
members of the family, who objected
to the children living with her.
Edith" she declared, due to her
mental condition, could not be left
alone. She would do all sorts Of dan
gerous things. only left her in the
closet when it was necessary for me
to leave the house. It Is not true that
times.
She always slept in bed room with
me and fed her there"
She said Edith's enaciated condition
was due to her inability to retain food.
Father Took Children.
The father said that when he mar.
ried for the second time 1t was neces-
sary for him to institute legal pro-
ceedings to gain custody of his chill.
dren, who had been living with rela.
tiveS.
Persons In the ONCE Of school at
tendance and work permits said Ediths
case had been In the hands Of the
Board of Public Welfare for at least
five years. When she was Z years old
her parents were asked to explain why
she had not been sent to school. Mrs.
Riley, it was said, presented doctors
certificate stating the child's mental
condition made school attendance hope
less.