Saudi Gazette report

HAIL — The Social Affairs Directorate in Hail has rejected a mother’s complaint against her ex-husband that he was physically abusing their daughter, Al-Watan reported.



The mother, H.A., said her 14-year-old daughter Shojoon was being beaten by her father and stepmother.



However, Hail Social Affairs spokesman Ahmad Al-Shammary said the mother had previously reported her ex-husband and accused him of burning her.



The directorate investigated and the results contradicted H.A.’s allegations.



He said: “We visited the daughter and talked to her.



She is well and healthy and goes to school regularly.



“The burn marks may be the father’s way of healing his daughter from whatever illness she had and not necessarily a form of abuse.



“Anyways, we were doubtful of the authenticity of the photos (of the burn marks) to begin with.”



H.A. rejected the directorate’s findings.



“There are marks all over her stomach and back. I don’t care whether his intent was good or bad; he hurt her.



“I am more eligible for her custody because I did not marry again and I have more time to raise her right now.”



She said her ex-husband works in another city and only visits his wife and daughter once a week.



“I haven’t seen my daughter for three years and when I went to visit her at her school, I was shocked to see the burn marks all over her body.”



She added she sued her ex-husband for not letting her see Shojoon and only permitting her to speak with her on the phone, but he has refused to attend court hearings.