Right? No. Authority? Yes. Responsibility? Yes, according to child protection laws that the people have passed. Its called "The Due Process of Law".
The State has the authority, granted by the people, to restrict parental rights when the child's welfare is considered to be unacceptably harmed by the parent. Where ever you draw the line on unacceptable, death would certainly qualify as "unacceptable" don't you think?
What is the evidence that this 17-year-old's life is in danger?
1. Her parents belong to a religion that has a basic tenant that all converts, such as their daughter, should be killed.
2. She is expressing that this is exactly what will happen, based on 17 years of experience with what her parents believe and what they are capable of.
Again, unlike you, I have more faith in the Family than the State and unless the child can prove that her life is in immediate danger, the State has no right to take a child from her family.
Are you disputing these? If not, what are you requiring that the girl present as "proof"? A signed letter of intent by her father? How about a Koran?
If a seventeen year old girl runs up to you in a parking lot begging for help because their father is going to kill her, are you going to tell her to go home and get proof and then call the authorities? What if she just ran out of the cult compound next door, where they openly teach that people leaving the cult must be killed? Please don't tell me that you are going to call the authorities after what you have just posted, I have a low tolerance for hypocrisy and cop outs.