RIFQA BARY'S PARENTS WANTED HER TO HAVE CHEMOTHERAPY

Interesting revelation about Rifqa Bary's health problems: her parents wanted her to go for chemotherapy treatment, probably with strings attached (they would pay as a potential trick to either comply or be branded an ingrate?). Fortunately, the judge has rejected the parents' demands:

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A state juvenile court judge on Tuesday rejected the request of a Christian convert's Muslim parents to order their daughter to continue chemotherapy for uterine cancer.

The request from the parents of Rifqa Bary does not meet the legal requirement of a medical emergency needing immediate treatment, Franklin County Juvenile Court Magistrate Mary Goodrich said during a hearing.

Goodrich made the ruling at the beginning of what's expected to be the final court appearances by Bary, who remains in foster care in state custody until she turns 18 next week.

Bary wants Goodrich to determine that reconciliation with her parents is impossible. The stakes are higher than a family reunion. If the judge agrees with Rifqa Bary, an undocumented immigrant from Sri Lanka, the girl could also receive a special status allowing her to stay in the country.

There weren't any serious signs of disease, and if she did do any chemotherapy tests, it made her feel weak.

Now we have to hope that not only does Rifqa reach her 18th birthday, but that the judge will also grant her special residential status.