Ex-Internet porn sellers from Grand Rapids retain custody of kids

Judge rules former business has had no bearing on relationship with foster children. Birth mom plans to appeal.

By DAVID SHAFFER, Star Tribune

Last update: June 19, 2009 - 9:37 PM

A married couple from Grand Rapids, Minn., who once ran an Internet porn business can retain custody of two young children they wish to adopt, despite objections from the children's birth mother.

In his ruling, Judge John Hawkinson said Anne Gale, who once appeared in explicit videos on her former website, and her husband, Joe, have a close, healthy and supportive relationship with the 3-year-old boy and 2-year-old girl, and that the couple's past lifestyle does not appear to have an adverse effect on the children.

The birth mother, Rachel Voight, left the children with the Gales for adoption in 2007 at a time when Voight was in trouble for writing bad checks and smoking marijuana. Later, Voight asserted she was straightening out her life, wanted the kids back and would not have turned to the Gales if she had known of their past.

The Gales' Internet porn business featured home-produced adult videos, stories and sex toys. The site was shut down in 2004, and the following year the Gales began offering home day care and foster care for children.

Hawkinson held a non-jury trial in January, and filed a ruling Thursday in Itasca County District Court. The ruling said the Gales' past lifestyle was investigated in 2005 by county officials who licensed the couple to care for children.

"In light of the re-licensing of [the Gales], the testimony that the activities ceased ... and the fact that the activities have been investigated, the Court finds that the prior activities do not appear to have any current adverse effect on the children," the judge wrote.

The adoption still hasn't been completed, and under the judge's ruling, Voight will continue to have once-a-month supervised visits with the children. In an interview, Voight said she was disappointed in the ruling, and that she intends to appeal. The Gales and both attorneys in the case could not be reached to comment.

David Shaffer • 612-673-7090

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