7 Muslim children returned to mom

Seven Muslim children who were removed from their home by Child Protective Services (CPS) last week, while police investigated molestation allegations against their mother's common-law husband, will be returned to their home, a King County Juvenile Court judge ruled on Wednesday.

Before his ruling, Judge Ronald Kessler issued an order of protection restricting the man from entering the family home or contacting the children. He asked for assurances from the children's mother, Ethiopian refugee Asha Gobana, that she would respect the restraining order even if it went against her husband's wishes.

"If I order you not to allow [him] into your house, will you follow that? What if he calls you and says 'I am the boss,' who are you going to listen to: me or him?"

Gobana said that she would obey the judge. "I accept," she said during Wednesday's hearing.

The seven children, 2 through 14, were removed from their home last Thursday by CPS.

Seattle police spokesman Mark Jamieson said detectives from the department's Sexual Assault Unit called on CPS while investigating an allegation that the woman's husband, who is father to four of the seven children, had assaulted a juvenile girl who had visited the family home last month.

According to police, the alleged victim is not one of the man's daughters or stepdaughters.

The father was arrested on Wednesday morning and booked into King County Jail on investigation of child molestation. He faces a bail hearing at 2:30 p.m. today.

The children's removal sparked outrage among members of the East African Muslim community, who staged an all-day protest on Friday at one of the state's Department of Social and Health Services offices in South Seattle. Many also attended Wednesday's Juvenile Court hearing.

The protesters expressed concern that the children would be placed in non-Muslim foster homes where their religious culture and dietary restrictions would not be observed.

Gobana's attorney, Marilyn Gunther, said she was pleased with the outcome, but still distressed and disappointed with CPS.

"The department jumped first before investigating," Gunther said.

However, CPS spokeswoman Sherry Hill said because CPS was contacted by police during an active investigation into alleged child molestation, caseworkers and administrators had no discretion in the matter.

"We had no choice," Hill said. "Law enforcement placed them into protective custody, turned them over to us and we assumed custody."

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com