Maarib Al Hishmawi, 16, was pledged in the arranged marriage in return for $20,000. The high school student ran away after the alleged abuse by her parents who were irate at her refusal to relent to the arranged marriage. The girl and her five siblings, between the ages 5 and 15, were placed under Child Protective Services custody.
Police are leaving open the possibility of charging the would-be husband — hopefully they will follow through in arresting the man.
The Iraqi couple has been in the United States for two years on visas.