Williams couple pleads not guilty in daughter's death; Prosecutors' request to exhume daughter's body granted

Posted: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 2:23 pm | Updated: 2:50 pm, Wed Nov 28, 2012.

By KATE MARTIN

Larry and Carri Williams both pleaded not guilty this afternoon to charges filed against them in the death of their adopted daughter, Hana Williams.

The Skagit County couple is accused of killing their adopted teen daughter last year.

A charge of first-degree manslaughter by domestic violence was added Wednesday to each of their existing charges. The couple already is charged with homicide by abuse for Hana’s death and first-degree child assault for their treatment of their adopted son.

In addition to their arraignment today, the judge granted the request by prosecutors to exhume Hana's body to confirm her age. While Hana was believed to have been 13 years old, the defense may contend that she is older. That could affect the charge of homicide by abuse, which only applies to victims under age 16.

Hana was adopted from Ethiopia, and her exact age is unknown.

Hana was found unconscious in her parents’ backyard outside Sedro-Woolley on a rainy night in May. She was later determined to have died of hypothermia brought on by malnutrition.