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No decision yet on children's custody in alleged suicide pact case

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A mother and father went to court to fight to get their daughters back after being put in the custody of the Department of Children and Families.

The children were placed in DCF custody after a nurse claimed she overheard the parents making a suicide pact that included killing the girls.

However, the parents, James and Mai Firth, said they never threatened to harm their daughters.

The girls' grandmother asked to take them home with her, but the court said it will not taking any chances by possibly putting the girls in the wrong hands.

The Firths denied having a suicide pact, but a report made to Melbourne police said the couple claimed they would kill their two girls, Kia and Kristen, if they ran out of money or if 4-year-old Kristen didn't improve in her autism treatments.

The couple then went to California with their daughters.

Friday morning, the couple entered in agreements, which would place them one step closer to reuniting with their girls.

However, there are some conditions, including psychological evaluations for both parent, parenting classes and promises of stable housing and a stable income.

In court, James Firth told the judge he was ready to have his family back.

Representatives from the state told the judge that so far, visitation has gone well.

Another hearing on the issue has been scheduled for a later date.