The Washington times., 1931-11-11
CH|LD'S PLIGHT
FIRST Barred
BY AUNT
Telephone Call to Reporter
Led to Speedy Delivery
- Of Girl in Closet

0lrecLIy Responsible 1OI CLle EeIcdSe
Of Edith Riley.
Years ago Mrs. Lulu Reed, the
girls aunt, told the Board Of
Public Welfare she had received
chargc regarding conditions in
the home Of Edith's father, Harry
Riley, and his second wife, the
child's Step-mother, Elsie Riley.
After a cu--sory investigation, how
ever, the case was dropped.
Brother Bares Girls Plight
Recently Mrs. Reed met Francis
Riley, Ediths 15.year-old brother,
on the street after being out OF
communication with him for
years. When questioned he again
told Of his sisters bondage. Mrs.
Re i attempted to devise plan
to release Edith from the closet,
but was unable to outline scheme
which she believed would be et-
fective.
Long days and nights OF worry
followed. Pictured in her mind
was Edith, emaciated, abused and
gradually becoming blind because
of lack of light. Mrs. Reeds
sleep was disturbed by her dreams
of the girl, and in desperation
she resolved to seek outside aid.
Called Times Wednesday
She called The Washington
Times Wednesday and without
giving the names Of the persons
involved, told her story. When
she was assured The Times could
aid her she said she would bring
the boy, who knew conditions,
to The Times offices, if possible,
that evening. She later called,
however. and said that it would
be necessary for him to return
to his home Immediately, but as
sured the reporter that they
would appear Thursday.
The reporter the next day in
quired at Juvenile Court as to the
necessary steps that should be
taken to release the captive child.
He was told to seek the aid Of the
Women's Bureau, and if possible
that of Mrs. Ruby G. Brandt.
Thursday evening Mrs. Reed |
brought Francis to The Times and |
they again related the story of
Edlth's captivity and other details
Of her life.
Mrs. Brandt was found at
Juvenile Court the next day and
after hearing the reporters story !
went with him to Judge Kathryn |
Sellers, who ord ed an attach
ment issued for Edith. Mrs.
Brandt first was taken to Langley
Junior High School to discuss the
case with Francis.
Attachment Obtained
Returning with the reporter to
Juvenile Court. Mrs. Brandt OBJ
tanned the attachment and at
her request was given the as
siStance of two United States
marShals. The group Of four
then went to the vicinity Of the
Riley home.
While Mrs. Brandt and the re-
porter remained hidden from
view the marshals went to the
front door of the Riley home
but ringing of the bell brought
no response and a marshal and
the reporter went to the rear
Of the home.
A high wall of boards sur
rounds the back yard but as
they peered through knothole
the men observed a colored maid
and when they knocked she
opened the locked door to the
yard.
She advised them that Mrs.
Riley was out but was told the
marShalS identity and advised
that he had an attachment for
Edith. The maid declared:
II amt seen her for years."
Through the open back door
walked the marshal and the re-
porter, to be met in the dining
room by Brownie. a huge dog
that they had been told guarded
the home. He Snarled, but did
not attack. and they kept on.
Up the steps they went, follow
ing q diagram given The Times
by Francis, and were soon at
the closed door leading into Mrs.
Riley'S bedroom. This was not
locked and they entered. going
through into the bathroom, which
the closet was said to adjoin.
True to the diagram, a door
was seen. It was locked.
With the skeleton key given
them by Francis, they unlocked
this door.
Child CrOuched in Corner
AS it was Jerked open they
saw the story was true.
Crouched in the corner of the
malodorouS closet was Edith,
dirty. unkempt, and blinking in
the sudden light, of which she
saw so little. She made no out
cry or gesture, but sat Still and
stared.
Mrs. Brandt and the second
marshal who had remained at
the front of the building were
summoned by the reporter be-
fore the child was disturbed and
they rushed to the second floor
closet to see the young captive.
Selling a blanket from the bed !
nearby. Mrs. Brandt wrapped it
around the child as a c1arshal
picked it from its dungeon. It |
had no other wrapping except |
4 cotton garment which failed to |
cover more than a small portion
Of the weak. emaciated body.