Update on Rifqa Bary: State of Ohio will Take Custody of Her for Now

Aimee Herd : Oct 20, 2009
Aaron J. Leichman – Christian Post

John Stemberger, Bary's attorney, said his client's immigration status is "very critical" as her conversion has been made public to the world. –Christian Post

On Friday, Oct. 16th, an Ohio judge ruled that the teen convert to Christianity, Rifqa Bary—who ran away to Florida in fear for her life—will be transferred to the state custody of Ohio, until the problem with her immigration papers can be sorted out.

The Ohio judge and one in Florida had agreed earlier in the week that the girl should be returned to her parents in Ohio. (Photo: AP Images / Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda, Pool)

Rifqa had filed the claim that her father had said, "If you have this Jesus in your heart, you are dead to me!" and then later had threatened to kill her.

The teen is also worried that she may be sent back to Sri Lanka where her life would also be in danger because of her conversion to Christianity from Islam.