In a distressing development from Zearing, four family members have been arrested and charged with severe criminal offenses following a harrowing case of kidnapping and abuse. The Story County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation after being alerted by a local hospital to a patient displaying signs of extreme physical trauma and malnutrition.
The accused are identified as Gary Graham, 44, Danielle Graham, 42, Aaron Williams, 20, and a 16-year-old minor. Each faces charges of first-degree kidnapping and willful injury, stemming from allegations of restraining an adult family member to a bed and subjecting them to prolonged abuse.
Details provided by the Story County Sheriff’s Office reveal a chilling scenario wherein the victim was reportedly shackled by the wrists and ankles to a bed within their Zearing home, enduring months of systematic abuse since November 2023.
The culmination of this ordeal led to the victim’s hospitalization in January with life-threatening conditions, including severe injuries and evidence of malnutrition.
Upon being admitted to the hospital on January 27, under the care of Danielle Graham and Aaron Williams, the victim presented with critical symptoms, including a brain bleed, rib fractures, and various other wounds, alongside a drastically reduced weight of only 70 pounds. Hospital staff raised alarms over the victim’s condition, which led to further scrutiny from law enforcement.
A subsequent investigation by authorities uncovered harrowing evidence, including videos on the 16-year-old family member’s cellphone displaying the victim in a dire physical state, bound with athletic tape. Court documents further detail the presence of handcuffs and shackles attached to the victim’s bed, along with disturbing footage of the victim being taunted by a family member.
Moreover, the investigation revealed text messages between the family members containing dehumanizing language, referring to the victim as “retard” and “slave.” These findings have contributed to the gravity of the charges laid against the individuals involved.
Given the severity of the accusations, the 16-year-old suspect is being charged as an adult. All four individuals are currently detained at the Story County Jail as the case continues to unfold.
This case has shocked the community and highlighted the importance of vigilance and reporting in the face of suspected abuse. The Story County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the full extent of the allegations and the circumstances leading to the victim’s critical condition.
The legal proceedings are expected to unveil more details as the case progresses, with the local community and authorities alike awaiting justice for the egregious harm inflicted upon the victim.