Parents pour hot cooking oil on girl for refusing marriage in US

Police arrest the couple after girl runs away to evade the marriage and the abuse

A girl in Texas met with a predicament in Texas when her parents allegedly poured oil on her and beat her for refusing to marry a man of their choice.

Maarib Al Hishmawi, 16, ran away from her house in San Antonio to evade marrying the adult, Bexar County sheriff Javier Salazar said.

Subsequently, the parents, Abdulah Fahmi Al Hishmawi, 34, and Hamdiyah Sabah Al Hishmawi, 33 are arrested for the assault, according to Independent.

The girl was later found to be safe, and is in protective custody with her five siblings who are of ages between five to 15, the official added.

“We became aware of the fact that mid-last year, mid-2017, there had been a marriage arrangement made between the family of this young lady and an adult male living in another city, whereby approximately $20,000 (£14,000) was going to exchange hands," Sheriff Salazar said.



“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. Several times, it was reported to us, this young lady was abused with hot cooking oil being thrown on her body, she was beaten with broomsticks.”

“At least at one point she was choked almost to the point of unconsciousness, and it’s really heartbreaking to hear. The only way this young lady could bring an end to this abuse was to verbally agree to become a party to this marriage. At that point that the marriage was going to take place, the young lady left home and she ran away.”

He added, “My understanding is that both parents are involved in the physical abuse. We don’t know if those other siblings are victims of any abuse.”

The girl's parents are now facing charges of constant family abuse. The sheriff further said it was her mother is believed to be the one who threw cooking oil at her.

Similarly, the man to whom Maarib was going to be married may also face charges, he said, adding, “we do know who he is, my understanding is that we have talked to him, at least, the FBI has talked to him. It’s highly likely that he will be facing charges as well.”

The article originally appeared in Independent