It’s a chilly, drizzly day here in Seattle, close to 50 degrees F (10 C). That’s what the weather was like 11 years ago today, when Ethiopian adoptee Hanna Williams died outdoors, in her adoptive family’s backyard. The cause of her death was hypothermia and malnutrition, the tragic culmination of the abuse she endured before she died in 2011 at the age of 13.
Her adoptive parents, Larry and Carri Williams, remain in jail after being found guilty, in 2013, for Hanna”s death. I’ve often wondered how Hanna’s siblings are doing, having witnessed the abuse and death of Hanna at the hands of their parents. I wish them well, along with the other Ethiopian adoptee, Immanuel. What scars they all carry.
Hanna would be 24 years old now, had she not died.
We are dedicating our upcoming book, Lions Roaring Far From Home: An Anthology by Ethiopian Adoptees, to Hanna, and to Ethiopian adoptees who have died by suicide. We will use the proceeds from the sale of the book to support adoptees, perhaps to offer DNA testing, or to supplement airfare to Ethiopia, or some other ways to center their needs.
You’re in our hearts, Hanna. We won’t forget you.
Most people don’t realize this but all adopters are abusive like the rotten Williams.
Look at the number of insane infertile women now who try to breastfeed the babies they adopt. This is a form of pedophilia in my opinion-because they do it for themselves NOT to feed an infant. Plus they take drugs that are very bad for a baby to try to produce drops of milk which is purposeful poisoning of a child if you ask me.
I know quite well the story of poor Hannah-she was a beautiful girl who got an undeserved ugly situation. I’m glad the Williams are rotting in jail, and I hope they get beat up in there every day.
I can’t put into words how much I hate them, especially as an adoptee myself.
People need to start seeing the truth about adoption, the truth about infertile women, that they are crazy, beyond selfish and unfit. And that adoption is FOR their temper tantrum about infertility NOT for the benefit of kids. And how much they hit us with their dark infertile baggage every damn day.
And until stupid American society does, who knows how many other sweet innocent children like Hannah will be killed…
Thanks for this post and remembering her.
As an adoption worker in Washington, I followed this story in horror and shock that anyone could treat a child so cruelly, much less one they chose to adopt. My heart broke thinking how helpless and foresaken that baby girl must have felt. May she always be held safe in the arms of the Lord, free of pain and bathed in love.
I can’t believe how fast the years have passed. I hope they are going more slowly for her killers in jail! How anyone can treat another human being like that I shall never understand, much less a child. I hope heaven is beautiful Hanna! I’m sure you are enjoying the peace and love that you should have been given here on earth. Hugs! 🌹🌹❣️❤️❣️🌹🌹
A truly upsetting story. I do hope that Hanna is resting peacefully. She is beautiful and deserved so much better. For those curious about her siblings, I came across Cara on Tik Tok here❤️https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTdwgnfX8/?k=1
@caraisrecovering
Thank you for your comment here. I was a bit reluctant to share the TikTok by Cara, though it seems she feels ready and strong to fight and heal. What a path her life has taken.
Cara, I wish you all the best. I send you love and support, as I know many others do as well.