Police say that 36-year-old Marcelino de Jesus Martinez sold his 14-year-old daughter for marriage to 18-year-old Margarito de Jesus Galindo for $16,000 plus 100 cases of beer, among other items. After the girl was handed over, Martinez called police to complain that he hadn't been paid! He requested that police help him bring his daughter home.
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/weird/Dad-Sells-Girl-Calls-Cops-to-Complain-He-Wasnt-Paid.html -Thanks, Mrsfosoty!
Martinez's daughter did return home, but he was arrested and booked on suspicion of bartering her –– "receiving money for causing person to cohabitate."
Galindo, the intended buyer/groom, was booked on suspicion of statutory rape, police said.
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/weird/Dad-Sells-Girl-Calls-Cops-to-Complain-He-Wasnt-Paid.html -Thanks, Mrsfosoty!
The real question here is whether this a case of cultural clash, or a matter of human trafficking. In my opinion it's the latter, you know, with a human being treated as a commodity and all.
This article explores its ramifications: http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/Americas/2009/jan/Cultural-Clash-Comes-to-Fore-in--Bride-Sold-for-Beer--Case.html
I spent more on my WEDDING!!!