A Nashville, Tennessee, teen was treated for injuries after his father, mother, and older brother allegedly assaulted him for converting from Islam to Christianity.
Nick Kadum, 57, Rawaa Khawaji, 46, and John Kadum, 29, were all charged in the incident, according to WSMV.
Law enforcement officials were dispatched to the Kadums’ home on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 12, after the boy’s employer requested a welfare check.
According to The Charlotte Observer, when police arrived at the home, they described the boy as being “wide-eyed,” disheveled, and trembling. He also had a cut along the back of his hand, unevenly cut hair, and lumps on his face.
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The boy told police that his family members assaulted him after they discovered he had converted to Christianity. According to the boy, they “demanded he recant and say he was a Muslim.” When he refused, the boy said that his father, mother, and brother “repeatedly punched him and spat in his face,” with his mother going on to cut the back of his hand with a knife.
All three family members were taken into custody.
Nick and John Kadum have been charged with assault and domestic bodily injury. Rawaa Khawaji faces a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Khawaji denies assaulting her son.
The teen was taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.
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Michelle, an assistant general manager at the McDonald’s where the teen works, told WZTV that she was the one to call the police after her and the boy’s pastor told her that John Kadum was threatening to kill the teen.
