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Rifqa Bary to remain in Ohio foster care
The parents of Fathima Rifqa Bary -- the Muslim teenager who gave her life to Jesus and then fled to Orlando -- have given up their fight to get back their daughter. In a court in Columbus, Ohio, they agreed Tuesday to let Rifqa, 17, live in an Ohio foster home until she reaches age 18, in August. After that, she'll be an adult and will be free to do whatever she wants.That agreement ended an ugly, often-public, six-month-ordeal for the girl and her parents. A lawyer for the girl in Columbus read the settlement in court. "Rifqa and her parents love and respect each other and believe that further counseling for all parties is the healthy and best means of resolving the issues...." Rifqa, in a related juvenile delinquency case, also admitted Tuesday to being unruly. The girl's father, Mohamed Bary, declined to comment after the hearing. For months, he had said he just wanted his daughter back. His former Orlando attorney, Shayan Elahi, said both sides agreed counseling was the best way for the family to resolve its differences. Attorney John Stemberger, who represented the girl when she was in Orange County, called the settlement a victory for her. "Any time you get a settlement and get what you want, it's always better than having a trial," Stemberger said. "In terms of what's in Rifqa's best interest, this is in Rifqa's best interest." As soon as she turns 18, she had better leave the State, change her name, and go into 'witness protection'. Her own parents might not get her, but some free lancer might try. Posted by: Anonymoose 2010-01-20 |
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