Judge orders baby taken from lesbians

By BRADY McCOMBS and MICHELLE L. PRICE


SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah's Republican governor says a judge who ordered that a baby be taken away from her lesbian foster parents and placed with a heterosexual couple should follow the law and not inject his personal beliefs into the matter.

Gov. Gary Herbert told reporters Thursday that he's puzzled by Judge Scott Johansen's ruling this week in the Utah city of Price.

Herbert criticized "activism on the bench in any way, shape or form" and said the judge should follow the law even he doesn't like it.

April Hoagland and Beckie Peirce say the judge cited research that children do better when they are raised by heterosexual couples.

Johansen is precluded by judicial rules from discussing pending case.

Utah's Division of Child and Family Services says it's reviewing the matter.


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