HILLSBORO, Ore. - A Hillsboro girl who could have been sent to live in Mexico with strangers no longer faces that prospect.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has decided that 2-year-old Faith Cephus can live separately from her half-siblings, who still could be sent to Mexico to live with their grandparents.

"A second committee, taking a look at a broader set of information, made the decision that it would not be in the best interest to have the children placed together," said DHS Spokesperson Greg Parker.

Faith's grandparents, Maurice and Luz Cephus, are relieved but they are still apprehensive.  The decision allows Faith to stay with them in Hillsboro, for now.

"Given the circumstances that we've been through so far - mentally, physically and the like - this is somewhat enlightening and hopefully the decision will, obviously, be to keep our granddaughter," said Maurice Cephus.

The struggle is not over. The state will continue with its efforts to terminate the parental rights of Faith's father, mother and the father of her half-brother and half-sister. All three adults are in prison and the mother of the children is fighting to keep her rights.

If the state wins, then Maurice and Luz Cephus can apply to adopt Faith. As for the two half-siblings, the state told KATU News they prefer to place kids with relatives and if the grandparents in Mexico City still want them, there is a chance those kids would be sent there to live.

This all goes to trial in about a month from now but regardless of what happens then, the DHS decision is big news for Faith's future.