Green Energy
Bumped & Sticky
Don't know if this is credible but here it is:
Rifqa walked in after her parents sat down with their attorney Craig McCarthy at one table.
She is seated at another, but facing her mother, who is wearing a scarf and wiping her eyes with a tissue.
Rifqa wants to make a statement before the hearing begins.
The attorneys are huddling before the judge for a decision on whether he will allow that.
UPDATE: Judge Dawson has decided to let her speak, saying it his policy to let anyone speak in open court.
This case is about jurisdiction, whether she can stay in the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families, or whether she has to be turned over to Ohio authorities.
A representative from DCF has told the court that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has agreed to investigate the matter, because DCF fears she is in danger.
An attorney for Rifqa's parents said Ohio has investigated this matter and if there's any question about her safety, then Ohio is the place for that to be determined.
"There is no basis," the attorney said, for her to stay in Florida since her life is in Ohio.
McCarthy said it would "enormous prejudice" to try this matter in Florida.
A legal representative for Rifqa says since Ohio has no prior legal proceeding in this case, then Florida can claim jurisdiction.
Staying in Florida, her legal team argues, would keep her safe.
Judge Dawson said he has had no contact with Ohio courts, so he doesn't know if Ohio wants jurisdiction in this case.
"Rifqa wants to be here," said one of her lawyers.
He told the court the teen's safety would be compromised back in Ohio, referring to some 'terrorist activity' in the region where she lived. He did not elaborate.
UPDATE: Rifqa is sitting with her attorneys, reading a book that she brought in. She glances at the judge and her legal team, but not her parents.
Judge Dawson says "at first blush" it appears his court has jurisdiction in this custody matter, since no Ohio court has taken up the matter.
Attorneys for the parents are citing a ruling that Judge Dawson could request an Ohio court to initiate a hearing, but Dawson said he didn't feel that was the case, although he appears willing to make contact.
update: A hearing is set for September 3rd at 2:30 p.m.
A dependency petition will be argued at that time.
The judge is still ordering a mediation effort to avoid trial.
update: Rafqa is making her statement to the court. "I've been a christian for 4 years of my life. I love my parents but I am in fear of my life because of the past abuse. I assure your honor Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I am a Christian, a believer."
Her mother cried, "I need my daughter back."
He father said "I love my daughter, I have no problem in her practicing another religion."
She is free to come and practice what she likes in my home," he said.
Rifqa will spend some time with her younger brothers, but does not want to meet with her parents at this time.
The court will allow it.
update: Rifqa is staying in a foster home. Her foster parents are not willing to allow supervised visitation of Rifqa's family or friends right now. The judge is recommending DCF take charge of the issue and hold these meetings in an outside location where it can be videotaped.
Judge Dawson asked if Rifqa is a legal immigrant. She was born in Sri Lanka. Her attorneys say they are trying to determine that and need the parents' cooperation.
Her father, Mohammed, said she arrived in the U.S. on a visa. Since she has turned 17, her legal status is in question.
Rifqa will be home schooled in her foster home. She attended high school back in Ohio where she was a cheerleader.
The hearing ended at 4:07 PM
Source
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Rifqa Barry Parents Try to Block EmmigrationFrom Jawa: Basically they all are here illegally, Rifqa is applying for special emigration status to prevent her from being deported to Sri Lanka where she does not feel safe. Her parents are trying to block...
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Rifqa Bary wins another round From Jawa: The Ohio court overseeing Rifqa Bary's case convened yesterday to hear an emergency motion by CAIR attorney Omar Tarazi attempting to circumvent a counselor's finding that Rifqa should be allowed to...
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Great News: Rifqa Bary's legal case over!!! She stays in state custody***Updated*** From Jawa: Rifqa Bary's dependency case was settled today in an Ohio juvenile court by Rifqa and her parents, and she will remain in state custody until her...
- Judge Orders Rifqa Bary Returned To Ohio
From Associated Press: ORLANDO, Fla. — A Florida judge says he plans to order the teenager who ran away from Ohio to Florida because she feared physical harm for converting from Islam to Christianity sent back to Ohio.The Orlando judge said Tuesday...
- Rifqa Update: This Is What I Was Afraid Of.
CLICK HERE FOR BACKGROUND INFO ON THE RIFQA STORY The Muslim parents of an Ohio teenager who fled to Florida fearing an "honor killing" for converting to Christianity today blamed their daughter's fears on the husband and wife pastors who took their...
Green Energy
RIFQA BARY: From the Courtroom
Bumped & Sticky
Don't know if this is credible but here it is:
Rifqa walked in after her parents sat down with their attorney Craig McCarthy at one table.
She is seated at another, but facing her mother, who is wearing a scarf and wiping her eyes with a tissue.
Rifqa wants to make a statement before the hearing begins.
The attorneys are huddling before the judge for a decision on whether he will allow that.
UPDATE: Judge Dawson has decided to let her speak, saying it his policy to let anyone speak in open court.
This case is about jurisdiction, whether she can stay in the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families, or whether she has to be turned over to Ohio authorities.
A representative from DCF has told the court that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has agreed to investigate the matter, because DCF fears she is in danger.
An attorney for Rifqa's parents said Ohio has investigated this matter and if there's any question about her safety, then Ohio is the place for that to be determined.
"There is no basis," the attorney said, for her to stay in Florida since her life is in Ohio.
McCarthy said it would "enormous prejudice" to try this matter in Florida.
A legal representative for Rifqa says since Ohio has no prior legal proceeding in this case, then Florida can claim jurisdiction.
Staying in Florida, her legal team argues, would keep her safe.
Judge Dawson said he has had no contact with Ohio courts, so he doesn't know if Ohio wants jurisdiction in this case.
"Rifqa wants to be here," said one of her lawyers.
He told the court the teen's safety would be compromised back in Ohio, referring to some 'terrorist activity' in the region where she lived. He did not elaborate.
UPDATE: Rifqa is sitting with her attorneys, reading a book that she brought in. She glances at the judge and her legal team, but not her parents.
Judge Dawson says "at first blush" it appears his court has jurisdiction in this custody matter, since no Ohio court has taken up the matter.
Attorneys for the parents are citing a ruling that Judge Dawson could request an Ohio court to initiate a hearing, but Dawson said he didn't feel that was the case, although he appears willing to make contact.
update: A hearing is set for September 3rd at 2:30 p.m.
A dependency petition will be argued at that time.
The judge is still ordering a mediation effort to avoid trial.
update: Rafqa is making her statement to the court. "I've been a christian for 4 years of my life. I love my parents but I am in fear of my life because of the past abuse. I assure your honor Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I am a Christian, a believer."
Her mother cried, "I need my daughter back."
He father said "I love my daughter, I have no problem in her practicing another religion."
She is free to come and practice what she likes in my home," he said.
Rifqa will spend some time with her younger brothers, but does not want to meet with her parents at this time.
The court will allow it.
update: Rifqa is staying in a foster home. Her foster parents are not willing to allow supervised visitation of Rifqa's family or friends right now. The judge is recommending DCF take charge of the issue and hold these meetings in an outside location where it can be videotaped.
Judge Dawson asked if Rifqa is a legal immigrant. She was born in Sri Lanka. Her attorneys say they are trying to determine that and need the parents' cooperation.
Her father, Mohammed, said she arrived in the U.S. on a visa. Since she has turned 17, her legal status is in question.
Rifqa will be home schooled in her foster home. She attended high school back in Ohio where she was a cheerleader.
The hearing ended at 4:07 PM
Source
-
Rifqa Barry Parents Try to Block EmmigrationFrom Jawa: Basically they all are here illegally, Rifqa is applying for special emigration status to prevent her from being deported to Sri Lanka where she does not feel safe. Her parents are trying to block...
-
Rifqa Bary wins another round From Jawa: The Ohio court overseeing Rifqa Bary's case convened yesterday to hear an emergency motion by CAIR attorney Omar Tarazi attempting to circumvent a counselor's finding that Rifqa should be allowed to...
-
Great News: Rifqa Bary's legal case over!!! She stays in state custody***Updated*** From Jawa: Rifqa Bary's dependency case was settled today in an Ohio juvenile court by Rifqa and her parents, and she will remain in state custody until her...
- Judge Orders Rifqa Bary Returned To Ohio
From Associated Press: ORLANDO, Fla. — A Florida judge says he plans to order the teenager who ran away from Ohio to Florida because she feared physical harm for converting from Islam to Christianity sent back to Ohio.The Orlando judge said Tuesday...
- Rifqa Update: This Is What I Was Afraid Of.
CLICK HERE FOR BACKGROUND INFO ON THE RIFQA STORY The Muslim parents of an Ohio teenager who fled to Florida fearing an "honor killing" for converting to Christianity today blamed their daughter's fears on the husband and wife pastors who took their...