Nearly three weeks after Riverside County Child Protective Services took three children away from their Hemet parents, the agency decided to reunite the family.

Alizah Malone, her sister Tatanaye Guillory and their brother Obadiah Sutphen were taken Aug. 8 by Child Protective Services as their parents watched. CPS had determined the parents were unfit and the children should not be in their care.

The parents said they believe that Obadiah and his two siblings were taken because of the parents' Jehovah's Witnesses religious beliefs, which include a rejection of blood transfusions. Social services officials said the parents put the children at risk by refusing recommended medical treatment, which included a blood transfusion for Obadiah, born 11 weeks premature.

On Tuesday, CPS was called upon to present the case against the parents in Riverside County Juvenile Court. The agency told Riverside County Juvenile Court that CPS officials agreed to allow the parents and children to be reunited.

The parents must meet specific requirements, including taking parenting classes and allowing in-home visits.

The children were returned to their parents, Antwanette Bennett and Christopher Sutphen, that same day.

Back at home, the friendly 4-year-old Alizah hugged her parents constantly, played quietly with her 2-year-old sister and chanted, "Obi, Obi, Obi," her nickname for her 7-month-old baby brother, Obadiah.

Alizah, Tatanaye and Obadiah were taken from their parents when Child Protective Services in Riverside County received a complaint that Bennett and Sutphen didn't want to follow medical advice for Obadiah.

Obadiah had been regularly visiting the doctor and had received a checkup that noted his good health the day before he was taken away.

Alizah and Tatanaye are Bennett's children from previous relationships, but Sutphen considers them his children as much as and Obadiah is their child.

While grateful to have their children home, the parents said they had to deal with the repercussions of what happened.

"Tatanaye was potty trained, but the foster family put her in a diaper," Bennett said. "Now we have to start all over."

Bennett said her stress level has dropped since the children have come home. She said social workers in the past had told her to stay home with Obadiah, but now she is looking for work because her social services were terminated when the state agency took her children.

One of the goals outlined in the packet received from the court is for Bennett to find a job. Sutphen is looking for a job doing warehouse or factory work to supplement the disability payment he receives due to his mental illness.

Bennett takes medication for depression, and Sutphen is being treated for schizophrenia.

The couple said they will do whatever it takes to get to keep their children, including allowing home visits by social workers, counselors and developmental teachers.

Obadiah was born almost three months premature Feb. 2. When the baby was transferred to Loma Linda University Medical Center, Bennett directed that no blood transfusions be given him. In March, a social worker obtained a San Bernardino Superior Court order to provide a transfusion after medical authorities said the baby would die without one.

In May, a social worker refused to let Obadiah go home after he was brought to the Loma Linda center for a seizure. The nurse cited Bennett for missing an eye appointment for Obadiah but Bennett said she had pneumonia that day. The appointment was rescheduled and Obadiah showed no trouble with his eyes.

Bennett and Sutphen say they are grateful to get their children back without a long legal battle over religious and medical issues.

Sutphen and Bennett said they were concerned their girls, while in foster care, were not getting spiritual guidance provided from Bible stories and praying together.

But Sutphen said he was comforted to know Alizah prayed that she could come home. She said she saw that God answered her prayers.

Erin D. Randolph can be reached by e-mail at erandolph@pe.com or by phone at (909) 487-5229.