He was deported back to Israel, but in 2001 he fled to Canada, where he reestablished his community in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec, applying for and attaining refugee status for himself two years later.
In 1990, Helbrans moved his community to the United States, which he claimed was due to his anti-Zionist views, and opened a small Lev Tahor yeshiva in Brooklyn where he gave Jewish study lessons to young students.
The subsequent religious conflict that ensued led to Fima's becoming emotionally attached to Helbrans, who denied any involvement in the boy's disappearance.
He was arrested but released, allegedly due to political reasons, with the district attorney wishing not to clash with the ultra-Orthodox community of New York before the elections.
[6] After protests, since Rabbi Helbrans lost his permanent resident status and was not allowed to work in the US, he was moved back to prison until the end of his two-year term.
[7] Accusations of child abuse and other atrocities committed inside his community with "cult-like" features, were prevalent in the media dealing with the story.
[8] In November 1996, following the State Parole Board decision to release Helbrans after two years in prison, the case rose to near scandal with suspicions that the Pataki administration was providing him special treatment.
[6] Following the loss of status in 2000[further explanation needed] Helbrans was deported to Israel, where he was to be sentenced for various accusations by people whose family members had joined the community Lev Tahor.
Helbrans subsequently fled to Canada, where in 2003 he was granted refugee status, claiming that he would be persecuted in Israel due to his religious and political beliefs.
[18] On 27 November 2013, a youth court judge in Quebec ordered that 14 children from the community be placed temporarily in foster care, undergo medical exams, and receive psychological support.
[19] The order was not immediately enforced because the parents, one of whom was Helbrans' son who had previously left the community, were residents of Ontario, triggering a long legal battle.
His body was pulled from the river by rescue forces on Friday afternoon after he was swept away by strong currents while performing the Mikvah before Shabbat.