Reported by Dave D’Marko
ORLANDO -- An Ohio teen who fled to Florida for religious freedom will remain here for at least the next three months.
In juvenile court Friday, Rifqa Bary, 17, said she loves her parents, but fears they will kill her because she converted from Islam to Christianity.
Her father said she'd be free to practice whatever religion she chose if she comes home, and her mother cried as she begged for her to return.
However, the judge said he needed time to review the dangers she could face before making a decision.
"She's not completely safe and not completely home, but the fact a proceeding has been started here with the presumption of jurisdiction is now in Florida, for the state to say ‘hey she's a dependent. She’s in need of services and she can stay for another year until she turns 18,’" said John Stamberger, Bary’s attorney.
"Like everything else, it's a process,” said Shehan Heli, Mohamed Bary’s family spokesman. “But the judge has also asked for them to do mediation. Hopefully this will get resolved. I hope that is the case and so does the family."
The judge said he will allow Bary to visit her brothers during the judicial review process. However, her parents will not be allowed to see her.
After the hearing, the teen met briefly with George Sheldon, the head of the state's Department of Children and Families.
The judge set the next hearing on Sept. 30. In the meantime, DCF will conduct a 90-day investigation. That means it will be mid-November before a decision is made in the case.
Stemberger said the teen's safety is a priority, and there are terrorist activity connections to her case.
Ohio authorities said they found no evidence her father was a dangerous man during their investigation.
But a Florida counter-terrorism group worries the teen will fall victim to a honor killing and they call her a "dead girl walking."
"I'm sorry, but if her family wants to take her life to give praise to Allah, I'd rather have her live in a cave. There are hundreds of families ready to raise her as one of their children," said Usama Dakdok, from the Straight Way Grace Ministry.
Bary is currently in foster care in Orlando under supervision of the Florida DCF.
Hours after the judge ruled, Gov. Charlie Crist released a statement commending the court's decision.
In it, the governor said:
"I am grateful to Circuit Judge Daniel Dawson for his decision to grant Fathima Rifqa Bary the right to remain in Florida. The first and only priority of my administration is the safety and well-being of this child."
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