THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 11, 1995 TAG: 9510110669
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: CAMDEN LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
A second defendant who was granted a new trial in the Little Rascals sexual abuse case was ordered released on $100,000 secured bond Tuesday and told not to contact any children without permission.
Kathryn Dawn Wilson, a cook at the defunct day care center in Edenton, was sentenced to life in prison after a jury convicted her of seven counts of sexual abuse.
Wilson, who was pregnant when she went to prison, was released on bond and confined to her mother's house in Statesville after having the baby. During the house arrest, she wore an electronic device that sounded an alarm if she left the yard.
``That will be taken off,'' said Assistant District Attorney Nancy Lamb.
Earlier this year, the North Carolina Court of Appeals ordered new trials for Wilson and Little Rascals owner Robert F. Kelly Jr., who was sentenced to 12 life terms after a jury convicted him on 99 sexual abuse counts.
No trial dates have been set.
Wilson's bond hearing was held in Camden County because a session of court was under way there.
The Camden County Superior Court judge ordered that Wilson not enter the seven counties of the First Prosecutorial District, where the day care is located. She also was ordered not to have contact with any children without the consent of their parents or guardians.
Kelly was released last month on $200,000 secured bond while he awaits a new trial.
Two others - Kelly's wife Elizabeth and Kelly acquaintance Willard Privott - pleaded no contest to sexual abuse charges and served prison sentences. Three others - two former day care workers and another woman - await trials.
The case began in 1989 when rumors of sexual abuse swept Edenton. Investigators confirmed the rumors, and the state ordered the day care center closed.
Kelly was the first person to be charged, and his nine-month trial was the longest and most expensive in state history, costing more than $1 million.
KEYWORDS: DAY CARE CENTERS CHILD ABUSE SEX CRIME
CHILD MOLESTER TRIAL SENTENCING
RELEASE by CNB