09 February 2014

Child bride's marriage was permitted by father, say police

The father of 12-year-old girl gave his blessing for her to be ''married'' to a Lebanese university student in the Hunter region earlier this year, police will allege.

.... Police say they do not believe the girl's mother had any knowledge of the ''marriage'' or that her daughter had moved to Sydney with a 26-year-old man.

It is understood the girl's father and mother are separated.

Police learned of the man and under-age girl's marriage after the accused tried to enrol the girl, who recently turned 13, at school and applied for legal guardianship through Centrelink.

The victim has been taken into the care of the Department of Family and Community Services until a permanent home is found for her. [The Sydney Morning Herald] Read more