Pastor Lorenz speaks on Rifqa ruling

In an exclusive interview, one half of the couple who helped 17-year-old Christian convert Rifqa Bary escape to their Central Florida home, says he's satisfied and even hopeful after a ruling by a judge to send the runaway back to Ohio.

Orlando Pastor Blake Lorenz tells FOX 35's Tracy Jacim, "We expected Ohio would get jurisdiction, uh...that's just the legal way it is. But we are excited there is still a possibility she could stay in Florida, if the legal documents are not presented with her immigration. So you never know...maybe they don't have them!"

Pastor Lorenz claims he and his pastor wife have been operating based on that belief since they first helped Rifqa Bary runaway here to Florida.

Lorenz claims Rifqa told them her parents wouldn't look for her because they would fear being found out. "She didn't think she'd be reported, so we had time to get her the help she needed."

We don't know if that's what Rifqa Bary actually told the
Lorenz', nor do we know if it's at all true.

We do know the family came to the U.S. from Sri Lanka. We also know, in the end, Rifqa Bary's parents did report her missing, and the Lorenz' have since felt pressure from both law enforcement and some segments of the public.

Lorenz says, "My impression is they are not here legally anymore. Originally, they were, this is all second hand. Rifqa told us they were not legal anymore." Jacim asks, "Not legal anymore, what do you mean by that?" Lorenz says, "Meaning they didn't update their papers and they were afraid they'd be deported, and that's why Rifqa said they wouldn't even look for her."

Jacim asks, "Do you feel like all you've done has been for nothing?" Lorenz replies, "Oh no! We feel victory! First of all, Jesus Christ was lifted up...Second, Rifqa's life was protected, she's still alive!"

The judge set a hearing for October 23 in case the two conditions he set are not met. The judge says Rifqa's family must product legal documentation of their U.S. citizenship and proof she can continue her education in Ohio.

If those conditions are met sooner, it's very possible Rifqa Bary will go back to Ohio sooner. She will stay with a foster family in Ohio until her dependency is decided in the courts.

There already is a dependency hearing scheduled in Ohio for October 27.