Teenage Christian convert who fled Ohio, saying she feared harm, fights uterine cancer

Teenage Christian convert in Ohio fighting cancer

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A teenager who converted to Christianity and ran away from her Ohio home alleging she would otherwise be harmed has cancer and is undergoing surgery.

Seventeen-year-old Rifqa Bary fled Ohio last year and stayed with a Florida minister she met on Facebook. She is scheduled for surgery for uterine cancer Thursday.

Jamal Jivanjee (jih-VAHN’-jee) is a Florida minister and friend of the girl. He said Tuesday that Bary is expected to need several rounds of chemotherapy after the surgery.

The teenager from suburban Columbus returned to Ohio this year and has been in foster care while a judge tries to reconcile her with her family.

Bary’s Muslim parents deny allegations she would have been harmed, and police found no evidence she was in danger in Ohio.