Staff Report

Gracie Jane Willig

WINONA LAKE — A Winona Lake teenager was recently arrested after allegedly battering a relative and a child.

Gracie Jane Willig, 18, 26 Trailside Drive, Winona Lake, is charged with domestic battery to a person less than 14 years of age by a person at least 18 years of age and domestic battery with a child under 16 present, both level 6 felonies; and domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor.

On May 18, a Winona Lake Police officer responded to a domestic case possibly involving a knife. A child reported that Willig had hurt a relative. The officer knew from previous law enforcement interactions at the home that the relative was unable to walk due to a medical condition.

According to court documents, multiple officers were then dispatched to the residence due to the nature of the call. Upon arrival at the scene, the Winona Lake officer talked with the child who reported the incident. The child, who was visibly upset, said Willig was inside a bedroom. Willig was seated on a bed and no knife was found near her.

When asked if a knife was involved, Willig said the child had a knife at one point and that she took it from them.

Willig’s relative said Willig struck her on the left foot. During the incident, the relative told the child to call 911. When the child went to call, Willig allegedly took the phone and threw it. The child told officers that Willig pushed them against a window and held a towel over their face, making it difficult to breathe.

The relative said the child had a knife at the start of the altercation because they were afraid of Willig. The child admitted to having a knife but put it away when the relative told them to call police. The child said they were scared and did not intend to hurt anyone.

When asked if she hurt her relative, Willig said she accidentally fell into the relative’s leg but that she did not remember how that occurred. She also admitted to having a knife during the incident and denied threatening anyone with it.

Willig has already been arrested and released on bond.