WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – The man linked to a runaway Dearborn Heights teenager appeared in court Friday for the first time.
Kamal Abou Darwiche, 62, is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl who ran away from the Vista Maria facility for vulnerable children in Dearborn Heights.
Darwiche is also accused of giving the teen marijuana and concealing her after she fled from the custody of her legal guardian.
He’s facing the following charges:
- Child sexually abusive activity -- a 20-year felony.
- Delivery of marijuana to a minor -- an eight-year felony.
- Harboring runaways -- a one-year misdemeanor.
The girl ran away March 14, 2025, and was missing for nearly six weeks. Police said they found her April 23 at Darwiche’s home in Dearborn Heights.
“He doesn’t say anything as to that,” defense attorney Amir Markled said when asked about police claims that the girl was found in his client’s apartment. “I mean, if that’s the case, that doesn’t necessarily make that a crime.”
He was arraigned Friday, June 13, and given a $500,000 bond. Prosecutors asked for a $1 million bond, saying Darwiche doesn’t have many ties to the area.
“He is in custody at the moment, and we don’t anticipate he will be released,” Dearborn Heights police Sgt. Michael Gondek said. “But if he is, there are very little ties to keep him from evading the charges.”
Markled said his client came to America legally, lives in Dearborn Heights, and is currently in federal custody.
“He maintains his innocence in this matter,” Markled said. “Right now, we need to really get a full understanding of the facts in this case and what’s happening.”
Markled said Darwiche came to the U.S. about seven months ago and has been working and living in Dearborn Heights.
“Kamal is somebody who came here legally in the United States and was hoping to start a family, or engage his family that has already been here and help with his children that have already been residing in the United States,” Markled said.
“He lied to police and then was caught with her in his apartment,” the girl’s aunt said in a statement. “How is that innocent or a family man? We just hope he gets what he deserves.”
Prosecutors claim Darwiche’s visa had expired.
“The visa that he was here on doesn’t expire until 2027 -- so the government’s position is that it’s already expired,” Markled said. “I think that’s inaccurate, and so he’s going to be challenging that expiration of that visa within the immigration court.”
Darwiche is expected to return to court at 9 a.m. June 25.
He has not yet been transferred into Dearborn Heights police custody. For now, he remains in Calhoun County on the state’s west side.
Vista Maria released the following statement after the girl was found:
“All of us at Vista Maria are relieved and grateful that (the girl) has been found and is safe and receiving support. Our thanks go out to the many law enforcement agencies that worked hard to find her, especially the Dearborn Heights Police Department. We appreciate the outpouring of support from the community, including the many tips that helped the police in their search. Vista Maria stands ready to support (her) and her family in any way we can in the future.”
Vista Maria spokesperson
