Judge Changes Mind About Taking Baby Away From Lesbian Foster Parents

A Utah judge reversed his order to take a foster child away from a same-sex couple and place the baby girl in a heterosexual household.

Earlier this week, Judge Scott Johansen claimed at a routine hearing there is research stating foster children are better off with heterosexual parents.

He did not provide any statistics to support this claim, however, and the American Psychological Association said this so-called research does not exist.

Johansen then ordered the 9-month-old foster daughter of April Hoagland and Beckie Peirce to be taken out of their care so the Utah Division of Child and Family Services could find the girl heterosexual parents.

The lesbian couple and the UDCFS were convinced the judge based his decision on his religious beliefs and filed court challenges to rescind the order.

Johansen is a bishop in the Mormon church, CBS News reports, which likely explains his disapproval of homosexuality.

But according to UDCFS spokeswoman Ashley Sumner, Johansen issued a revised order earlier today taking back his original ruling.

Sumner is still concerned, however, Johansen could very well order the baby to be taken away again at an upcoming custody hearing.

This is because even though Johansen took out a line from his original order that read, "It is not in the best interest of children to be raised by same-sex couples," the revised version reportedly still contains the following line:

The court cited a concern that research has shown that children are more emotionally and mentally stable when raised by a mother and father in the same home.

Sumner hopes Johansen will take the mass outrage he produced into consideration during an upcoming court appearance on December 4.

Utah Governor Gary Herbert said on Thursday Johansen's personal opinions should not at all play a role in his job to uphold the law.

Peirce and Hoagland have been raising the child for three months and are pursuing adoption.

Citations: Judge amends order to take baby from lesbian couple (CBS News), Utah Judge, in Shift, Lets Lesbian Couple Keep Foster Child (The New York Times)