STORY COUNTY, Iowa — A Zearing teen accused of participating in the torture and abuse of a family member will be tried as an adult after a judge denied her motion to move the case to juvenile court.
Kaitylinn Williams, 16, is charged with first-degree kidnapping and willful injury-causing serious injury. In March, the Story County Sheriff’s Office announced her arrest and those of her stepfather Gary Graham, Jr., mother Danielle Graham, and brother Aaron Williams. They face the same charges.
District Court Judge Jennifer Miller’s ruling was filed on June 5th. Her decision considered the defense presented by 16-year-old Kaitlynn’s attorney, that “mitigating factors” were in play such as isolation from the community and an “inappropriate relationship” with her stepfather. The ruling said no sexual abuse or attempted sexual abuse was alleged, but a psychologist who testified on Kaitlynn’s behalf said the stepfather’s behaviors could be considered to be grooming and created a dynamic of control. In the end, Judge Miller determined the serious nature of the crime meant the case should proceed in district court.
The SCSO said all four of those arrested participated in and had knowledge of abuse that caused severe and life-threatening injuries to a family member.
Court records reveal an investigation began in January after Danielle Graham’s 18-year-old son was transferred from Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. The hospital in Des Moines reported he was “severely malnourished and had multiple traumatic injuries including a brain bleed, multiple rib fractures, and other bruising, sores, and cuts.” He weighed only 70-75 pounds when he was admitted.
Trial information filed by prosecutors claims between April 2023 and January 2024, the victim was confined without his consent and “intentionally subjected to torture” with the intent to cause serious injury.
In court documents, investigators described evidence that the victim had been restrained to a bed using handcuffs/shackles linked to I-bolts. They also described videos and text messages about the alleged abuse that were found on family members’ electronic devices.
Trial scheduling conferences are being held for Kaitlynn Williams and Gary Graham Jr. on Tuesday.
The trial for Aaron Willaims is scheduled for September 10th and Danielle Graham is set to go to trial on October 29th.