Iraqi Mother Cited in Minors’ Marriages

An Iraqi mother was cited for her part in allegedly forcing her two teenage girls to marry. Salima al Saidy, 33, was cited for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The girls’ father, Salem al Saidy, 39, previously was charged with child abuse. An Iraqi refugee, he has said he was not aware state law requires a minimum marriage age of 18. He was freed on bond and ordered to have no contact with his daughters, 13 and 15. They were placed in foster care with a Muslim family. Their “husbands,” who also are Iraqi refugees, are charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child, felonies that could bring up to 50 years in prison.