Ohio authorities have ordered Christian teen Rifqa Bary and her Muslim parents to sit down and discuss their religious views, a caseworker revealed Tuesday.
Bary, 17, ran away from home to Florida July 19, telling authorities that her parents had threatened to kill her for leaving Islam.
A case-management plan filed Monday stated Bary would hear her parent's explanation of their Islamic beliefs, and they would also hear her explanation of accepting Christianity.
The plan also stated there are "severe differences" between the reasons given by Bary and her parents on why she changed her faith.
"Parents concern is that Rifqa has a false perception of their religious beliefs and that her understanding creates a barrier to reunification," wrote Margaret Shirk, a Franklin County Children Services Board caseworker. "Rifqa's concern is that her parents do not understand her practice of Christianity."
Florida Judge Daniel Dawson released Bary's case to Ohio courts in October. She will remain in foster care until a final decision is made on whether she should be forced to return home.
The plan also ordered potential guardians be found in case reunification is not an option.
Authorities said the family emigrated to the U.S. from Sri Lanka in 2000 to seek medical care for Rifqa, who'd lost sight in one eye after an accident at home.