NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Both sides are preparing to appear in court after a Muslim family is indicted, accused of assaulting a teenager who converted to Christianity.
The mother, father and older brother of a teenager are due in court Monday morning.
A neighbor, who wishes to remain anonymous, says he rarely sees Rawaa Khawaji, the mother, John Kadum, the father and Nick Kadum, the older brother, in the neighborhood.
“I always thought it was weird that they had so many cars and I never saw all the people that lived in that house,” the neighbor said.
The Metropolitan Police said that on December 11 they found a teenager visibly shaken with bruises and cuts and he was shaking with bumps on his face.
John and Nick Kadum are free on bail after facing charges of assault and bodily harm. The mother faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The neighbors say all this because their son wanted to become a Christian. The teen is currently in a Christian foster home and is doing much better.
“I’ve seen him twice since this happened. He’s great. I mean, he’s all smiles,” the neighbor said. “He has always been the nicest boy. Optimistic, he looks very healthy.”
The neighbor says he’s the happiest he’s seen him, but they say they feel uncomfortable because the family members are out on bail.
The neighbor says he feels he should be punished more harshly because he calls it a hate crime.
“I think our Davidson County judges are hitting most people these days anyway, so I’m not shocked,” the neighbor said.
The neighbor says he prays this young man gets the justice he deserves.
All three family members are scheduled to appear in court at 8:30 a.m. Monday morning.
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