STORY COUNTY, Iowa — A Zearing teen is scheduled to plead guilty Monday to amended charges for allegedly abusing a family member and causing life-threatening injuries.

Kaitllynn Williams was 16 years old when she was arrested, along with three other family members, in March of 2024 on charges of first-degree kidnapping and willful injury. She was charged as an adult.

Investigators with the Story County Sheriff’s Office said the victim, identified in court documents as the 18-year-old son of Danielle Graham, “suffered severe and life-threatening injuries from abuse, including a brain bleed, rib fractures, wounds in multiple stages of healing, and weighed 70 pounds due to severe malnourishment.”

Court documents also said Kaitlynn and the other defendants, Gary L. Graham, Danielle K. Graham, and Aaron Williams kept the victim restrained at times to a bunk bed using I-bolts and handcuffs/shackles. Gary is the stepfather and Aaron is the brother of the victim.

At Monday’s hearing, Kaitlynn Williams is expected to plead guilty to lesser charges in the case in exchange for her testimony against her mother and stepfather in their trials. The amended charges are third-degree kidnapping, willful injury, and assault causing bodily injury.

Kaitlynn won’t be sentenced until after the trials of the other family members, but per the deal, prosecutors are recommending a one-year suspended prison sentence and probation. The judge is not bound by the plea deal agreement and could choose to impose a different sentence.

Aaron Williams made a plea deal in October 2024 to amended charges. He has also agreed to testify against his stepfather and mother and won’t be sentenced until the conclusion of their trials.

Danielle Graham’s trial is scheduled for March 4, 2025, and Gary Graham’s trial is set to begin September 23, 2025.