THE BABY GIRL at the centre of the Bring Carmen Home Campaign has legally been put under the care of her biological father, a gay foreigner who made touching efforts over the past 15 months to keep her with him.

Recognising his love and care for the girl, the Central Juvenile and Family Court yesterday awarded sole custody of the 15-month-old baby to Gordon Lake.

The court also took into account the fact that the girl's Thai surrogate mother had not objected to Lake's request for sole custody during court hearings.

Lake fathered Carmen through surrogacy services, with Patidta Kusolsang paid to serve as surrogate mother. The egg came from another woman.

Lake is legally married to a Spanish man, Manuel Santos.

"Lake has taken care of the girl since her birth, with love," the court said, "He is gay. But his homosexuality is not an obstacle in raising the girl up amid happiness and warmth"