Utah Judge Quits Gay Foster Moms' Case

The Utah judge who ordered a child removed from her gay foster parents has withdrawn from the case, leaving April Hoagland and Rebecca Peirce feeling "thankful." Judge Scott Johansen signed an order Monday referring the case to Judge Mary Manley. Many had been calling for Johansen's removal after he asked that a 9-month-old girl be taken from foster parents Hoagland and Peirce, who are married, noting it is "not in the best interest of children to be raised by same-sex couples," reports the Salt Lake Tribune. An online petition is still calling for his impeachment, and the Human Rights Campaign says it has filed a formal complaint. (Click for more on the case.)