Judge Orders Runaway Convert To Return To Ohio

Religious runaway, 17-year-old Rifqa Bary, is headed back to Ohio. An Orlando judge said Tuesday afternoon that Bary, who had been staying in Orlando, should return to Ohio under the care of the state's child protective services.

VIDEO REPORT: Rifqa Heading Back To Ohio

The case of Rifqa Bary has been a long, drawn-out battle, since Eyewitness News broke the story in August. That's when Rifqa Bary said her parents threatened to kill her for converting from Islam to Christianity.

Bary told investigators that she took a Greyhound bus and headed to a pastor's house in Orlando for protection.

Eyewitness News learned that there's still some debate over whether Rifqa is in the country legally. Her parents haven't provided documents showing otherwise, which they were ordered to do.

If she's put on public transportation, she could be caught and deported back to Sri Lanka. The judge needs the documents before she leaves Florida.

Inside the juvenile justice center in Orlando was a courtroom full of attorneys and state officials and on the phone, another court full of legal experts in Ohio. The issue was who should have jurisdiction over the case involving the religious runaway.

Bary wants to remain in Florida, but after much discussion and some fierce arguments, the judge ultimately decided to send her back to Ohio.

"Unless you want to be held in contempt, you will stop," a judge said in court.

Judges in both states agreed the case belongs in Ohio.

However, Judge Daniel Dawson said before she's transferred to Ohio two conditions must be met.

First he needs documents showing that her online education can continue in Ohio, and second her parents must provide immigration documents showing Bary is in the U.S. legally. Otherwise there's concern she could be sent back to Sri Lanka.

Currently, her documents show she's an illegal immigrant.

Rifqa has maintained she wants to remain in Florida because she fears for her safety due to her religious conversion. Her parents have maintained she will not be hurt or punished and a Florida Department of law Enforcement investigation showed no evidence of violence against her.

The Orlando judge set a hearing for October 23 if the aforementioned conditions have not been met. If they are met before that time, it's possible Bary could head back to Ohio sooner.

Previous Stories: October 13, 2009: Another Hearing Scheduled For Runaway Convert October 12, 2009: Ohio Judge Will Not Take Jurisdiction In Convert Case October 9, 2009: Religious Runaway Meets With State, Parents September 28, 2009: Religious Runaway Speaks On Conference Call September 22, 2009: New Ohio Court Date Set For Religious Runaway September 22, 2009: Religious Runaway Staying In Orlando For Now September 17, 2009: Christian Convert Declares Belief On YouTube September 15, 2009: Report: Teen Convert May Have Been Lured September 11, 2009: Governor: Keep Runaway Convert Case In Ohio September 4, 2009: Runaway Christian Convert To Stay In Orlando September 2, 2009: Mosque Denies Runaway Convert's Allegations August 21, 2009: Judge Decides Runaway Convert Will Stay In Fla. August 12, 2009: Cops Question Christian Convert's Story