Hearing scheduled in Fla. for runaway convert

[September 03, 2009]  ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A teenage girl who ran away from her Ohio home after converting from Islam to Christianity will go before a Florida judge, who will decide whether she stays in Florida or returns home.

A hearing for 17-year-old Rifqa Bary (riff-KUH' BARE'-ee) is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. The girl ran away from Ohio to Florida in July, saying she feared being killed for changing religions.

Police used phone and computer records to track her to the Rev. Blake Lorenz, pastor of Orlando, Fla.-based Global Revolution Church. Authorities say the teen had met him through an online Facebook prayer group.

Bary has been placed in a foster family and is fighting in court to stay with them.

[Associated Press]

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