The Tragic Death of Hana Grace-Rose Williams

A Chilling Case of Child Abuse in Washington

Hana Grace-Rose Williams, born Hana Alemu on June 19, 1997, in Ethiopia, was adopted by an American couple, Carri and Larry Williams, in 2008. The family resided in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, where the once-vibrant life of Hana met a tragic end on May 12, 2011. An autopsy revealed that the young girl succumbed to hypothermia, an outcome that led to the conviction of her adoptive parents in September 2013. Larry Williams faced charges of manslaughter, while Carri Williams was found guilty of manslaughter, "homicide by abuse," and "first-degree assault of a child," the latter for maltreatment of a second adopted Ethiopian child who managed to survive and later testified against them.

Background: The Adoption and the Abuse

Hana's journey to the Williams family began at Kidane Mehret Children's Home, a Catholic orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which was linked to Adoption Advocates International (AAI) of Port Angeles, Washington. However, what was meant to be a new beginning spiraled into a nightmare. Once in the United States, Hana was subjected to relentless abuse. She was regularly spanked, locked away in a closet, and denied food as punishment. Often, she was not allowed to wear clothing, forced instead to wrap herself in a towel. Nights for Hana were spent in a barn, and her showers were nothing more than cold sprays from a garden hose. This severe treatment led to significant weight loss, directly contributing to her untimely death.

Despite the harsh reality of her life, a memorial statement by her adoptive parents painted a different picture, describing Hana as a girl who enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading, drawing, crafts, playing soccer, and riding her bicycle. It was speculated that Carri Williams homeschooled Hana, further isolating her from the outside world.

Carri and Larry Williams, who had seven biological children in addition to their two adopted Ethiopian children, faced accusations from within their household. It wasn't until two weeks after Hana's death that the children reported the abuse to Child Protective Services (CPS) during an investigation. Testimonies from the Williams' biological children and the surviving adopted child formed a critical part of the prosecution's case during the 2013 trial. The court sentenced Carri Williams to 36 years and 11 months, while Larry received 27 years and nine months for their roles in Hana's death.

The Shadow of "To Train Up a Child"

Central to this case was the controversial parenting book "To Train Up a Child" by Michael and Debi Pearl, which was found in the Williams' home. The book advocates for corporal punishment techniques that many child protection authorities classify as abusive. Investigators discovered that the Williamses not only owned a copy but had also shared it with an acquaintance. Michael Pearl, in response to the outcry, distanced himself from the actions of the Williamses, stating that their deeds were contrary to the philosophy of his ministry and the teachings of the book. Pearl's defense cited a misunderstanding of his recommendations, particularly concerning the size of plastic tubing used for discipline.

Reports emerged during the trial that the couple adhered strictly to the book's guidance, employing tactics such as using a switch, administering cold baths, withholding food, and forcing children outdoors in cold weather as punishment—practices that were tragically inflicted upon Hana.

Appeals and Legal Proceedings

After their convictions, both Carri and Larry Williams pursued appeals in December 2015, though these were ultimately upheld. Carri's subsequent appeal in 2019 met the same fate, leaving the original sentences intact.

Sources

For further details, the original Wikipedia article can be accessed here.