17-year-old girl killed by father after argument about attending prom, reports say

(Gray News) – An Illinois father was convicted of beating his teenage daughter to death after an argument over him wanting to go to the prom.

The deadly attack occurred in May 2022, WLS-TV reported.

Officers said they discovered the body of a 17-year-old girl, later identified as Mia Maro, on the lower level of the home. They also found her father, 42-year-old Mohammed Almaru, with self-inflicted wounds to his wrist and throat.

Almaru had taken pills and was taken to a hospital, where police said he could be stabilized.

Officials determined Maro died from multiple injuries and ruled her death a homicide, the Department of Public Safety said.

Authorities said Maro and her father argued about her going to the prom.

Prosecutors said the 42-year-old man gave his daughter permission to go but later changed his mind and said he “didn’t trust her” after she crashed his car, WFLD reported.

In the days leading up to her death, Maro allegedly texted a family member saying she was afraid her father would “hit her” or “kill her.”

Police said they found a bent metal pole and a rubber mallet allegedly used in Maro’s murder.

There was also a letter allegedly written by Almaru in which he admitted to beating Mia after discovering she had lied to him, prosecutors said.

He confessed to the crime in a text message to a family member, WFLD reported.

“I went crazy, lost control and hit her… I messed up big time, I’m sorry,” he said.

On Monday he was sentenced to 55 years. His lawyers filed a request to reduce the sentence, but the judge denied this.

Almaru will be recognized for the more than two years he has already spent in custody, but the judge said he must serve all his sentences.

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