APNewsBreak: Convert, parents must talk religion

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A plan for reuniting a runaway Christian convert and her Muslim family calls for the girl and her parents to listen to each other’s views about religion.

The proposal was filed Monday in Franklin County Juvenile Court by a government caseworker. It says 17-year-old Rifqa Bary (RIHF’-kuh BAYR’-ee) needs to hear out her parents’ explanation of their religious beliefs.

The plan also says the parents must listen to the girl’s explanation of her Christianity so all sides can better understand why she ran away to Florida over the summer.

Bary has said she feared her father would harm or kill her for converting from Islam. Her father has denied the claim.

The plan leaves open the possibility that the girl may never return home.