In a shocking case that has left the community of Zearing, Iowa in disbelief, four members of a rural Iowa family have been accused of abducting and brutally abusing an 18-year-old relative. Gary Graham Jr., 44, Danielle Graham, 42, Aaron Williams, 20, and a 16-year-old girl, all from Zearing, have been charged with first-degree kidnapping and willful injury.

Court documents reveal the horrifying extent of the abuse suffered by the victim. The teenager had been handcuffed to a bed, beaten severely, and sustained injuries including brain bleeding, multiple broken ribs, and weighed a mere 70 pounds (32 kilograms) when he arrived at a hospital earlier this year. It was also noted that the victim was malnourished and in a state of semi-consciousness upon arrival.

The allegations have sent shockwaves throughout the community, with Story County Sheriff's Capt. Nicholas Lennie expressing his astonishment. He described the incident as tragic and remarked that it is uncommon for one human being to treat another in such a horrific manner, especially a family member.

Details regarding the relationship between the teenager and the accused family members are ambiguous, with court records only stating that Gary Graham Jr. is not the teenager's biological father. The teenager, who has not been named due to their age, is now out of the hospital but continues to recover from the ordeal.

The investigation was initiated when a hospital in Ames reported the case to the sheriff's office on January 27. Medical workers discovered injuries in various stages of healing, indicating prolonged abuse over a period of time. The victim's condition prompted a search warrant, which uncovered alarming evidence including cell phone messages, videos, and photos suggesting the teenager was subjected to abuse by their relatives.

According to Danielle Graham's statement to the police, the teenager had allegedly left home in November after turning 18 and had not been heard from until showing up at the family's residence in a dire state. However, the search warrant findings contradicted this account.

The victim also disclosed to investigators that they were physically abused by Gary Graham Jr. and Aaron Williams. They described being frequently handcuffed to the bed not only during the night but also throughout the day, with no one offering any assistance. Disturbingly, a search warrant also uncovered an Amazon.com order under Danielle Graham's account for handcuffs, shackles, and handcuff keys.

Additional information from a guidance counselor revealed that the teenager had been attending school online but expressed a desire to attend classes in person. Emails provided by the counselor demonstrated the victim's request for assistance in convincing their mother to allow them to attend school physically.

Court records further revealed a history of legal issues involving Gary Graham Jr., including a two-year prison sentence for domestic abuse in 2009, as well as a divorce agreement amendment in 2017 due to documented abuse.

The accused family members now face charges of first-degree kidnapping and willful injury, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 29. Meanwhile, the community remains stunned by the heinous acts allegedly committed against a vulnerable young member of their own community.