“They said Judge Johansen cited research that children do better when they are raised by heterosexual couples. Hoagland believes the judge actually imposed his religious beliefs.”
A controversial Utah judge already facing a formal complaint for making a mother punish her daughter by cutting off her ponytail in court has provoked new criticism by taking a foster child away from a lesbian couple during what should have been a routine hearing yesterday.
The women, April Hoagland and Beckie Peirce, who are legally married, intended to adopt the baby girl with the support of the biological mother and state child welfare officials, who says the women have complied with all foster parenting requirements. But the judge apparently let his personal beliefs interfere.
The state child welfare agency is reviewing his ruling and exploring legal options with its attorneys. Read the story here and here.
Update: On Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, Judge Johansen voluntarily removed himself from the foster baby case amid growing calls for his impeachment. Read story here.