Vigil remembers adopted girl who died in the rain, cold
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SEATTLE - Details about the death of an adopted girl in Skagit County continue to have an impact on the area's Ethiopian community.
In May, 13-year-old Hana Williams died of hypothermia. And on Sunday, there was a remembrance vigil for her in Rainier Beach at the Ethiopian Community Mutual Association.
Moer than 100 people attended the vigil. And even though none of them knew Hana, some say they're just broken-hearted over the child's death - and they're hoping to keep her story alive.
Organizers of the vigil say a lot of members were outraged when they first heard about Hana and her ordeal.
The Skagit County coronor ruled the girl died of hypothermia back in May. At the time, Hana - who was adopted from Ethiopia in 2008 - was living with her adopted family in Sedro Woolley.
Child Protective Services says there are reports that Hana had lost a lot of weight before her death. And the night she died, she was out in the yard on a cold and rainy evening.
"But we don't know what really happened, so we are hoping we will find out," says Mulu Retta of the Ethiopian Community Mutual Association. "It's about finding out the truth, and we want to do that for Hana."
Child Protective Services removed eight other children from the home, although the parents asked for a hearing to fight to get their kids back.
The Skagit County Sheriff's Office turned its findings over to the prosecutor to make a decision on possible charges. But so far, no charges have been filed.
Was there any wrongdoing? Is there more to find out? Those are questions many people are asking.
In the meantime, they say, Hana should not be forgotten.
In May, 13-year-old Hana Williams died of hypothermia. And on Sunday, there was a remembrance vigil for her in Rainier Beach at the Ethiopian Community Mutual Association.
Moer than 100 people attended the vigil. And even though none of them knew Hana, some say they're just broken-hearted over the child's death - and they're hoping to keep her story alive.
Organizers of the vigil say a lot of members were outraged when they first heard about Hana and her ordeal.
The Skagit County coronor ruled the girl died of hypothermia back in May. At the time, Hana - who was adopted from Ethiopia in 2008 - was living with her adopted family in Sedro Woolley.
Child Protective Services says there are reports that Hana had lost a lot of weight before her death. And the night she died, she was out in the yard on a cold and rainy evening.
"But we don't know what really happened, so we are hoping we will find out," says Mulu Retta of the Ethiopian Community Mutual Association. "It's about finding out the truth, and we want to do that for Hana."
Child Protective Services removed eight other children from the home, although the parents asked for a hearing to fight to get their kids back.
The Skagit County Sheriff's Office turned its findings over to the prosecutor to make a decision on possible charges. But so far, no charges have been filed.
Was there any wrongdoing? Is there more to find out? Those are questions many people are asking.
In the meantime, they say, Hana should not be forgotten.
