AURORA, Colo. -- The guardians of Aarone Thompson, a girl who is missing and presumed dead by Aurora police, will not be regaining custody of their children, at least at this time, 7NEWS reported.

An Aurora jury determined Wednesday that the eight children should not be returned to Aarone's father, Aaron Thompson, and his girlfriend, Shely Lowe.

The couple remain persons of interest in the disappearance of 6-year-old Aarone, who was reported missing late last year.

Aurora police believe she was murdered more than two years ago. Thompson and Lowe have repeatedly denied any involvement in her disappearance.

In a statement to 7NEWS, Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates said, "If the information you have been provided is accurate, we are relieved to hear the jury saw this case the same way we did. We expected they would find that the surviving children did not belong in that home. We certainly did not feel that the children should go back to these parents."

The investigation into Aarone's disappearance continues. No charges have been filed in the case. Aarone's body has never been found.