Originally published Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 12:12 AM
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Muslim teen turns Christian, flees home
An Ohio teen who says she ran away from home because she feared punishment for converting from Islam to Christianity will stay in Florida while custody issues are being settled, a judge ruled.
ORLANDO, Fla. — An Ohio teen who says she ran away from home because she feared punishment for converting from Islam to Christianity will stay in Florida while custody issues are being settled, a judge ruled.
Rifqa Bary, 17, will remain in foster care until another hearing Sept. 3, Judge Dan Dawson said on Friday. Authorities are determining whether the case should stay in Florida or return to Columbus, Ohio, where the teen lived with her parents and two brothers.
Her father, Mohamed Bary, told the judge Rifqa would be able to practice Christianity if she returned home. "She is my daughter and I love her," he said.
She disappeared July 19 and police tracked her to the Rev. Blake Lorenz, pastor of Orlando-based Global Revolution Church. Authorities said the teen met him through an online prayer group. She has been assigned to a foster family approved by the Florida Department of Children.
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