News Summary
A 62-year-old man in Dearborn Heights faces serious charges including child sexually abusive activity after a 16-year-old girl was found in his apartment. The girl, who had run away from a residential facility, was located after six weeks. The man is also charged with delivering marijuana to a minor and harboring a runaway, facing possible lengthy prison time if convicted. Investigations hint at potential sex trafficking, and authorities stress the importance of safeguarding vulnerable youth.
Dearborn Heights, MI – A 62-year-old man, Kamal Abou Darwiche, has been charged with multiple offenses, including child sexually abusive activity, after a 16-year-old girl was found in his apartment. The young girl had run away from Vista Maria, a residential facility for troubled youth, on March 14, 2025. Authorities located her nearly six weeks later on April 23, 2025.
The allegations against Darwiche include serious charges of child sexually abusive activity, which could lead to a 20-year felony sentencing, as well as an 8-year felony charge of delivering marijuana to a minor and a 1-year misdemeanor charge for harboring runaways. If convicted of the most severe charges, he faces a potential prison sentence of more than 28 years.
The runaway teen was initially spotted on March 17, wandering the streets near Beech Daly and Joy roads in Dearborn Heights. Investigators believe she met Darwiche shortly after leaving the facility and stayed with him for several weeks, during which she reportedly felt scared to leave.
When police arrived at Darwiche’s apartment, located near Warren Avenue and Inkster Road, he initially denied any knowledge of the girl’s whereabouts. However, a search warrant execution led to the discovery of the teen within his residence. Authorities suspect that Darwiche may have made attempts to produce child pornography involving the minor, and investigations into these claims are ongoing.
After the girl was recovered, law enforcement began probing reports of possible sexual abuse. Initial concerns raised by investigators included the possibility of sex trafficking during the teenager’s time missing, as her access to a cell phone was only allowed while in Darwiche’s presence. It is believed that Darwiche may have lured the girl with promises of a stable home and financial assistance.
Kamal Abou Darwiche is currently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to his status as a temporary visa holder in the United States. An arraignment for Darwiche has not yet been scheduled. Prior to the recovery of the girl, he had been questioned by police during the initial investigation when she was reported missing.
Background Context
Vista Maria is a shelter that provides care for at-risk youth and is designed to offer support and rehabilitation for troubled teenagers. This disappearance and subsequent recovery of the teen has drawn significant attention to the risks faced by runaways, as well as the complex issues surrounding potential abuse and exploitation of minors. Law enforcement continues to address such cases through thorough investigative measures aimed at protecting vulnerable youth and holding accountable those who exploit them.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are committed to ensuring the safety of minors and preventing similar occurrences. Cases like this highlight the importance of transparency and vigilance in safeguarding children from potential harm.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 2 Detroit
- Wikipedia: Child Exploitation
- WXYZ
- Google Search: Kamal Abou Darwiche
- Click On Detroit
- Google Scholar: Child Sexual Abuse
- WWJ News Radio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Minor (Law)
- Patch
- Google News: Teen Missing Case Dearborn Heights
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