A father denied accusations Wednesday that he threatened to kill his teenage daughter because she converted to Christianity.
Rifqa Bary, 17, is in protective custody in Florida and has refused to return home after making the allegations that her father, a Muslim, would kill her, 10TV's Cara Connelly reported.
Her father, Mohamed Bary, said those claims were not true.
"Not at all," he said. "It is completely false. Honestly, it is not my daughter who is speaking. I feel that she has been coached to say these things."
He said his daughter is being coached by Pastor Blake Lorenz, who leads Global Revolution Church in Orlando.
Rifqa said she met Lorenz over Facebook and ran to him and his wife for help. She has since expressed her desire to stay with the family, telling reporters in Florida that she believes her father would kill her.
"If they love God more than me then they have to kill me," Rifqa said.
Family members said they would never harm Rifqa. Her older brother, Rilyan, said the accusations of violence came up only after his sister met Lorenz.
"You also saw in the video someone is patting her on the back and saying good job," Rilyan said. "She's definitely been told what to do. It's not even her. She's not even making eye contact in the video. What does that tell you?"
A judge in Florida has ruled that Rifqa be placed with Children Services.
She is allowed supervised visits with Lorenz and her father.
Lorenz did not return 10TV's phone calls seeking comment on Wednesday, Connelly reported.
Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Stories:
August 11, 2009:
Teen Says Father Will Kill Her Over Religious Conversion
August 7, 2009:
Missing Teen Found Safe In Fla.
July 31, 2009:
After Nearly 2 Weeks, New Albany Teen Still Missing
