A judge in Utah has ruled that a baby be removed from a foster home with same-sex parents and placed with a man and woman because “children do better in heterosexual homes.” The decision made by Judge Scott Johansen saw a child removed from the care of April Hoagland and Beckie Peirce, who told court reporters they were “shattered” by the move. Speaking about the controversial case, the couple told The Independent US that they believed the judge was basing his decision on his own personal religious beliefs, saying he mentioned a vague ‘myriad of studies’ to support his thinking. Image: Salt Lake City Tribune Hoagland and Peirce were amongst the first same-sex couples who qualifed to act as foster parents, having previously passing home inspections, background checks and interviews with officials from the Utah Division of Child and Family Services agency. They had also received full support from the child’s biological mother before completing the foster agreement. Speaking to Salt Lake City Tribune, Hoagland said: “He said he has research to back that children do better in heterosexual homes. “It hurts me really badly because I haven't done anything wrong.” Their case has received widespread public support after it was highlighted by local media, with presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tweeting a link to the story, adding:

Being a good parent has nothing to do with sexual orientation—thousands of families prove that. https://t.co/xQLh25RAYR

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 12, 2015

Officials from the DCFS said they have to comply with the court order for now and remove the baby from her parents within seven days. A spokeswoman for the court has told reporters that the judge who made the order is not legally able to discuss the decision, which is now being reviewed by state child welfare officials.