Fla. pastor says he contacted authorities about runaway convert, contradicting colleagues

Pastor contacted police about runaway convert

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Florida pastor who took in an Ohio runaway after she converted from Islam to Christianity says he was never told he was breaking the law.

Pastor Blake Lorenz says in an affidavit filed in Ohio juvenile court that he contacted authorities about 17-year-old Rifqa Bary at least four times. He says police didn’t pick her up until more than a week after his first call.

Lorenz’s affidavit contradicts statements by a former colleague who says the pastor ignored advice to contact authorities.

Bary is in foster care Ohio while the juvenile court decides whether she should be returned to her parents. She has said she feared her father would harm or kill her for leaving Islam, a claim he denies.

Lorenz doesn’t face charges for housing Bary. Authorities say the teen met him through a Facebook prayer group.