The Utah juvenile-court judge who ordered a foster child removed from a lesbian household has recused himself from the case, which had prompted a national firestorm because he questioned the fitness of same-sex parents.
Seventh District Juvenile Judge Scott Johansen, who already had reversed his earlier ruling, on Monday officially sent the case involving April Hoagland and Beckie Peirce and the 9-month-old they wish to adopt, and all pending issues to the district’s presiding judge, Mary Manley.
In his Nov. 10 ruling that sparked the controversy, Judge Johansen told the state child welfare office to remove the baby from the home — the couple wants to adopt her, with the biological mother’s approval — because it is “not in the best interest of children to be raised by same-sex couples.” He reversed himself two days later.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the recusal isn’t enough for pro-gay activists. The Alliance for a Better Utah demanded Monday that the legislature impeach Judge Johansen and launched a change.org petition to that effect.
“If Judge Johansen wants to act like Judge Judy, then he should get a reality TV show,” Josh Kanter, the group’s founder and board president said. “Judge Johansen should be impeached and removed from office.”
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
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