A Vermont judge has ordered a Christian woman to transfer custody of her 7-year-old daughter to her former lesbian partner.

Judge William Cohen's edict comes after a lengthy legal battle between Christian mother Lisa Miller of Virginia and her ex-partner, Janet Jenkins of Vermont.

Miller, the child's biological mother, conceived Isabella while she was living with Jenkins. Miller later left Jenkins after becoming a Christian and renouncing her homosexuality.

Last month, Cohen awarded Jenkins custody of the girl following Miller's failure to comply with a January court order granting Jenkins unsupervised visitation.

"This court stated that continued interference by Ms. Miller with the relationship between (Isabella) and Ms. Jenkins could lead to a change of circumstances and outweigh the disruption that would occur if a change of custody were ordered," the judge ruled earlier this month.

Miller sought a delay in the transfer until an appeal could be heard, but the judge refused her request.

Cohen has ordered Isabella to be turned over at 1 p.m. on January 1.