Parents of a Texas high school student who
was reported missing in late January had abused their daughter after she
refused an arranged marriage, leading her to run away from home until
she was found in mid-March, police said.
Maarib Al Hishmawi, 16, was reported missing on Jan. 30 after she was
last seen leaving Taft High School in Bexar County. She was located in
mid-March when she was taken in by an organization that cared for her
after she ran away, KSAT reported.
Authorities on Friday said Al Hishmawi’s parents — Abdulah Fahmi Al
Hishmawi, 34, and Hamdiyah Saha Al Hishmawi, 33 — had allegedly beaten
their daughter with a broomstick and poured hot cooking oil on her when
she refused to marry a man in another city. The parents reportedly
agreed to the arranged marriage in exchange for $20,000.
"This young lady, at various times over
that time period was subjected to some pretty bad abuse because she
didn't want to be married to this person," Bexar County Sheriff Javier
Salazar said on Friday, according to KSAT.
"Several times it was reported to us that this young lady was abused
with hot cooking oil being thrown on her body. She was beat with
broomsticks,” Salazar added. “At least one point, she was choked almost
to the point of unconsciousness.”
The teenage girl and her five siblings, between the ages 5 and 15, were
placed under Child Protective Services custody.
The parents face charges of continuous violence against a family member.
They were taken into custody on Friday.
Police said the man who was arranged to be married to Al Hishmawi may
also be charged in the case.
|
|