Click here to read the order (.pdf)
Until now, Nancy's family had temporary custody of the children. Her husband Brad Cooper had filed a motion asking the decision on permanent custody be put off until his criminal trial is over, but Friday's consent agreement settles the issue.
Nancy Cooper was found murdered last July in an unfinished subdivision in Cary. The discovery came several days after she was reported missing.
Brad Cooper initially told police his wife went jogging and never returned. Her body was discovered near the couple's home by a man walking his dog.
In October, police arrested Cooper and charged him with killing his wife. Cooper will not face the death penalty in the case.
The couple's children - ages 5 and 2 - are with Nancy Cooper's identical twin sister in Canada and with Nancy's parents - also in Canada.
Sasser's order says it is a permanent order and "shall not modifiable except upon showing of a substantial change in circumstances." Presumably, an example of such a change would be if Brad Copper was acquitted on the murder charge.
Meanwhile, Nancy's friends plan to hold fundraisers for her Butterfly Fund in June. The money will towards helping the victims of domestic abuse click here to learn more.
