Ohio Muslim-to-Christian convert back in court

COLUMBUS (AP) — Their attorney says Ohio parents just want a reasonable chance to reconcile with their daughter, a teenage convert who ran away to Florida.

Rifqa Bary and her parents appeared today before a juvenile court judge in Columbus as part of the girl’s custody case.

Bary claims she would be harmed or killed for converting from Islam to Christianity, a claim her parents deny.

Their attorney, Omar Tarazi, told the judge they still have a moral and constitutional right to raise their daughter even though she turns 18 in August.

Bary fled to Florida last year, allegedly with help from Christian pastors.

The hearing also is touching on her legal status in the U.S. She emigrated from Sri Lanka with her family, and her attorney confirms she is an undocumented alien.