Delaware County Daily Times - Oct 15, 1999 Article #2

Dad formally arraigned in daughter's kidnapping

Delaware County Daily Times (Primos - Upper Darby, PA) - Friday, October 15, 1999

MEDIA COURTHOUSE Robert Rivera sat hunched over a prison table with his eyes downcast yesterday as he was formally arraigned on kidnapping and related charges in the Aug. 10 disappearance of his baby daughter, Katelyn , who has not been seen since that date.

Rivera, 33, appeared via a television hookup from the prison, while his attorney, Kathleen Piperno, and others gathered in a room at the courthouse for formal arraignment during which charges were read. Piperno advised Rivera to stand mute and she entered a "not guilty" plea on his behalf to a bevy of charges.

James Miller represented the district attorneys office during the brief proceedings, which included the presence of FBI Agent Donna Kibbie and David Peiffer of the county criminal investigation division.

Both are involved in the ongoing probe into the child's disappearance.

Rivera at first appeared blasas he sat down and smiled at the camera. However, as the charges were being read his demeanor changed. He lowered his eyes and shook his head slightly as Miller stated the offenses.

A pretrial hearing was set for Nov. 15 before Judge Robert C. Wright.

MARLENE DiGIACOMO