Utah judge retires after criticism in gay foster parent case

Salt Lake City (AP) — A Utah judge who had ordered a baby girl taken away from her lesbian foster parents and placed with a heterosexual couple has retired.

Court officials announced Monday that juvenile court Judge Scott Johansen retired on Jan. 1.

Johansen faced widespread criticism and calls for his impeachment after he ordered a 9-month-old baby taken from the home of April Hoagland and Beckie Peirce on Nov. 10. He later reversed the ruling and recused himself.

He did not immediately return a call seeking comment on Monday.

He was appointed in 1992 to the bench in Price, about 120 miles south of Salt Lake City.

Johansen was reprimanded in 1995 when he slapped a 16-year-old boy in his chambers. A woman also complained when he told her to chop off her daughter's ponytail in court three years ago.

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The Gayly – January 5, 2016 @ 8:55 a.m.