NATIONAL BRIEFING / OHIO
A teenage girl who said she feared her father would harm or kill her for converting from Islam to Christianity returned to Ohio after fleeing to Florida three months ago. But instead of living in her New Albany home, Rifqa Bary will reside in a foster home under state custody.
Under a judge’s order, Rifqa, 17, will also have her phone and Internet use supervised by the Franklin County Children Services agency. The agency had blamed Rifqa’s use of Facebook for her troubles, saying she went to Orlando, Fla., after communicating with the Rev. Blake Lorenz, pastor of Global Revolution Church, in an online prayer group.
Rifqa’s father has denied the girl’s claims, and a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation found no credible threats to the girl. The girl’s parents supported the restrictions.
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