Monday, December 24, 2012

Washington couple held in death of adopted daughter, 13-year-old Hana Williams

Hana Williams was found dead in her family's backyard.

A Washington couple was arrested this week on suspicion they abused their adopted daughter to death.

Larry P. Williams and Carri D. Williams allegedly left their 13-year-old daughter, Hana, naked and outside on a cold rainy day as a punishment, KVAL-TV reported.

According to court documents, the teen was systematically beaten, starved, forced to shower outside, sleep in a barn and use an outdoor toilet as punishment for being "rebellious".

She was found in the family's backyard in Sedro Woolley  naked and face down in mud in May.

An autopsy found that she was malnourished and had a stomach infection.

It was a tragic ending for the young girl who was adopted from Ethopia in 2008 and came to America in search for a better life.

Her adopted siblings also reportedly told investigators that Hana was sometimes beaten with a switch for little infractions like standing 12 inches away from where she was told to stand.

The family's seven remaining children were placed in temporary foster care after Hana's death, according to the report.

Carri Williams told investigators that Hana had refused to come inside.

The new allegations shocked the family's now-retired pastor, Howard Cooper, who told the TV station that the family seemed totally normal.

"The kids, to me, they were nice loving kids. I loved to see them," he said.

Larry and Carri Williams were charged with homicide by abuse and assault of a child in the first degree.  They are being held on $500,000 bail each.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/washington-couple-held-death-adopted-daughter-13-year-old-hana-williams-article-1.962236#ixzz2FyfsVVtw

 

 

By Nina Mandell / DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Saturday, October 1, 2011, 12:58 PM

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