LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (WKYT) - Neighbors say Carolyn Case was trying her best to solve a problem with her grandaughter.

"The child was opening the doors," said neighbor Jessica Larison.

But police say that solution constituted criminal abuse.

"I just don't think Carolyn would do anything like that. I trust her with my child," said Larison.

From June to August, police say Case, along with her daughter, Rebecca Jackson, would tie the three-year-old girl down to her bed, sometimes for as long as 16 hours a day. According to court documents they said they did it because the girl was getting out of her bed in the middle of the night and trying to leave the house. Case and Jackson, along with the girl's stepfather, Herbert Medley, were charged with criminal abuse of a child. Larison, though, says Case wasn't trying to hurt the girl. In fact, she says Case initiated the complaint against her daughter. She says Case recently had heart surgery and the stress of the allegations is causing complications.

"She's in the hospital currently, having troubles with her heart from the stress because she's never been in any kind of trouble," she said.

She said she believes in the charges against Medley and Jackson, but she'll support Case.

"I will be there for Carolyn however she needs me to be. I will support her and continue to go see her with my child. My child loves her and I don't see her mistreating children," said Larison.

The three will be back in court on October 16.