Re: Judge: Runaway Teen Convert Must Go Home

"Poe" <haunted@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:7jkqqeF35kelrU1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ruthless wrote:
ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 13, 2009
Girl Ran Away from Ohio to Fla. Because She Feared Being Killed for
Converting from Islam to Christianity


(AP) A Florida judge said Tuesday he planned to send a teenager back to
Ohio after she ran away from her home to Florida because she feared
physical harm for converting from Islam to Christianity. Circuit Judge Daniel Dawson said he will sign an order when he gets
documents on Rifqa Bary's immigration status as well as papers showing the
17-year-old's education at an online Florida high school won't be
interrupted. No date was set for her return. She likely would be flown to Ohio
accompanied by a Florida Department of Children and Families case worker,
officials said. The Ohio judge who will take over the case, as well as child welfare
officials there and attorneys for Bary's parents, participated in the
hearing by telephone. Rifqa Bary will be placed in the custody of Franklin County, Ohio, child
welfare officials once she returns. Bary has been in foster care in Orlando while her case was being reviewed.
She ran away from her parents' Columbus-area home in July, saying she
feared being killed for changing religions. But a Florida Department of
Law Enforcement investigation found no credible threats to Bary. Dawson said he would consider holding Bary's parents in contempt if they
didn't turn over the documents pertaining to their immigration status and
their daughter's. The girl's family is originally from Sri Lanka and emigrated in 2000 to
seek medical help for Rifqa, who had lost sight in her right eye when she
fell and struck a toy airplane at home. Rifqa Bary disappeared July 19 and police used phone and computer records
to track her to the Rev. Blake Lorenz, pastor of Orlando, Florida-based
Global Revolution Church. Authorities said the teen had met him through an
online Facebook prayer group.

She'll be 18 soon. I think those in the legal system are just running out the clock on this one.


Except for the immigration issue. Due to her runaway status, her
entire family is being investigated for overstaying their visa.

Kris

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