Utah judge orders baby to be taken from lesbian foster parents; directive under review

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah state officials are looking into a judge's order to have a baby taken from lesbian foster parents and placed with a heterosexual couple for the child's well-being.


Utah Division of Child and Family Services spokeswoman Ashley Sumner says Judge Scott Johansen's order Tuesday in the city of Price raised concerns at the agency.

Its attorneys plan to review the decision and determine what options are available for the state to possibly challenge the order.

Attempts to reach April Hoagland and Beckie Peirce on Wednesday were unsuccessful. The couple told KUTV (http://bit.ly/1Sjph1o ) that Judge Johansen cited research that children do better when they are raised by heterosexual couples.

Judge Johansen is precluded by judicial rules from discussing the pending case.