The parents of a once-missing Texas girl were arrested last week after cops say they subjected her to serious abuse when she refused to let herself be handed over as a teenage bride. According to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, the parents of Maarib Al Hishmawi sold the 16-year-old off to an unnamed man for the sum of $20,000. When Maarib refused, cops allege she was was beaten or worse. "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," says Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, per Click2Houston. "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. At least at one point, she was choked almost to the point of unconsciousness."
Abdulah Fahmi Al Hishmawi, 34, and Hamdiyah Sabah Al Hishmawi, 33, were arrested Friday and charged with continuous violence against family, WOIA reports. Maarib reportedly disappeared Jan. 30 and the FBI had become part of the search before she was found in mid-March and placed in the care of a local organization. Authorities now say the teen had run away from the abuse. Maarib and her siblings are now being cared for by Child Protective Services. Salazar said it is likely the man to whom Maarib's parents intended to sell her will also be charged in connection with the case. (More missing teen stories.)
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