Man to stand trial for child abuse in teen’s extreme malnourishment

By John Tunison | jtunison@mlive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A 49-year-old man charged with first-degree child abuse for playing a role in what police say was a teen’s extreme malnourishment has been ordered to stand trial.

During a Monday, Oct. 3 hearing, a judge determined there was sufficient evidence to order William Williams to stand trial.

Williams and his girlfriend, 50-year-old Wilma Edwards, are both charged with two counts of first-degree child abuse.

Kent County sheriff’s investigators said Edwards’ 13-year-old adopted daughter was determined to be “extremely malnourished”

Detectives also said medical staff determined she had “liver and kidney damage” and “bruising and lacerations all over her body.”

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by police, Edwards allegedly told investigators that she and her boyfriend “tie (the girl) to her bed each night using ratchet straps to prevent her from getting out of bed. She would frequently wet the bed.”

A doctor who talked to investigators told them the girl had developed “refeeding syndrome,” which occurs when food is introduced too quickly after a period of malnourishment.

Edwards previously waived her right to a preliminary exam and also has been ordered to stand trial.