Jorelys Rivera's sisters returned to family

By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The two younger sisters of Jorelys Rivera were returned to their family Thursday afternoon, Channel 2 Action News reported.

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Channel 2 Action News Joselinne Rivera was reunited with her two younger daughters on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011.

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Channel 2 Action News Jorelys Rivera.

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"They're going home with their parents," attorney John Connolly told the AJC outside a Cherokee County courtroom earlier. "The family is very pleased."

The girls had been in state custody since Saturday, the day after 7-year-old Jorelys disappeared from her Canton apartment complex. On Monday, Jorelys' body was found in a trash bin belonging to the complex. Police arrested a suspect, Ryan Brunn, in her death Wednesday.

Connolly, who represents the children's father, said the decision to return the girls to the family was the result of a discussion lasting several hours Thursday morning. The children's mother, Joselinne Rivera, left the courthouse without making a public statement.

"We're trying to protect their privacy," Connolly said of the two girls. "The mother and father are working together."

Connolly declined to discuss details of the case.