Help offered to cousin of the late Ethiopian girl abused in Sedro-Woolley

SEATTLE -- A young Ethiopian woman with a life-threatening condition is receiving the treatment she needs, thanks to a local author who was inspired by her family's story.

Haimanot Kassaye Weldetsadik is just 22.  She is the cousin of Hanna Williams, a 14-year-old girl who was adopted by  Larry and Carri Williams of Sedro-Woolley.

What was supposed to be a safe, nurturing environment turned into a house of horrors. The Williams were convicted of abuse and neglect.

Because their 14-year-old adopted daughter was locked outside in nearly freezing rain, until she collapsed and died of hypothermia.

Enter David Guterson, a local author who had also adopted an Ethiopian child. He was in the process of documenting Hanna's story when he met Haimanot.

After a great deal of fundraising, Guterson was able to get Haimanot the treatment she so desperately needed.

Doctors say she suffers from a benign brain tumor that sits at the base of her skull.

Not only could she lose her vision; if not treated, she could die.

Doctors at Swedish were successfully able to remove most of the tumor

Guterson said he's just grateful to help this family who's already been through so much tragedy.