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Last updated on Monday, March 26, 2018
(BEXAR CO, TX) - 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.
16-year-old Maarib Al Hishmawi 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 -- 34-year-old Abdulah Fahmi Al Hishmawi and 33-year-old Hamdiyah Saha Al Hishmawi -- 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.
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