Biden's story of child rape victim traveling for abortion 'very difficult' to prove, WaPo fact-checker says
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
On Saturday, Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler threw cold water on President Biden's latest abortion talking point about the reversal of Roe v. Wade forcing a 10-year-old rape victim to travel out of state to get an abortion.
According to Kessler, who has a history of being soft on Biden, the president's story is "very difficult" to verify.
Kessler's analysis piece began with a claim Biden made during his Friday speech announcing an executive order he signed to protect abortions in the wake of the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.
Biden recounted how "Just last week, it was reported that a 10-year-old girl was a rape victim — 10 years old — and she was forced to have to travel out of state to Indiana to seek to terminate the pregnancy and maybe save her life."
The fact-checker declared his skepticism that this claim met journalistic standards. "This is the account of a one-source story that quickly went viral around the world — and into the talking points of the president," he wrote, seemingly doubtful of its certainty.
Kessler began by outlining, "The Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, which had guaranteed a right to abortion, has led a number of states to quickly impose new laws to restrict or limit abortions. Ohio was one of the first, imposing a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, with no exceptions for rape and incest."
He then explained that the story about the 10-year-old rape victim originated in a July 1 Indianapolis Star article titled, "Patients head to Indiana for abortion services as other states restrict care."
The article mentioned how Indianapolis obstetrician-gynecologist, Caitlan Barnard "received a call from 'a child abuse doctor' in Ohio who had a 10-year-old patient who was six weeks and three days pregnant." The Star reported that the child "was on her way to Indiana to Bernard's care."
Though as Kessler pointed out, "The only source cited for the anecdote was Bernard. She's on the record, but there is no indication that the newspaper made other attempts to confirm her account." When asked to verify her reporting, the piece's author, Shari Rudavksy, "did not respond."
The only support the story received was from a spokesman for Bro Krift, the paper's executive editor, who wrote, "The facts and sourcing about people crossing state lines into Indiana, including the 10-year-old girl, for abortions are clear. We have no additional comment at this time."
Kessler then mentioned how that one flimsy claim made its way into headlines around the world. "The story quickly caught fire, becoming a headline in newspapers around the world. News organizations increasingly 'aggregate' — or repackage — reporting from elsewhere if it appears of interest to readers. So Bernard remained the only source."
Kessler made the additional point that "Under Ohio law, a physician, as a mandated reporter under Ohio Revised Code 2151.421, would be required to report any case of known or suspected physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect of a child." Whether such a report to law enforcement was ever made remains unclear, and as noted by Kessler, Governor Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, press secretary Dan Tierney was "unaware of any specific case."
Kessler claimed, "As a spot check, we contacted child services agencies in some of Ohio's most populous cities, including Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo. None of the officials we reached were aware of such a case in their areas."
Kessler concluded his analysis by giving his "Bottom Line." He wrote, "This is a very difficult story to check. Bernard is on the record, but obtaining documents or other confirmation is all but impossible without details that would identify the locality where the rape occurred."
Although Kessler made it clear that the story is unverifiable, he didn't protest too much that President Biden used it for emotional effect in his latest speech. "With news reports around the globe and now a presidential imprimatur, however, the story has acquired the status of a 'fact' no matter its provenance. If a rapist is ever charged, the fact finally would have more solid grounding," he declared, almost resigned to the fact that it's now part of the narrative.
The Spectator contributing editor Stephen L. Miller criticized Kessler's "Bottom Line" on Twitter, writing, "Glenn Kessler's definition of fact is if enough news outlets repeat something enough, it acquires a factual status regardless of evidence."
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"Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler drew fierce criticism Monday after saying he did not plan to maintain a "database" for President Biden's falsehoods beyond his first 100 days in office.
"I have learned my lesson," Kessler tweeted. "'Learned my lesson' means who knows what the next four years will bring."
The Post famously maintained a database of former President Donald Trump's falsehoods during his entire term in office. Kessler called it a "wild ride."
Note: Whenever the left employs a double standard there is either a BS excuse for it or complete silence.
Also note that this unverified story of a ten year old rape victim graced another familiar front page the other day.
Seems to me that a lot of unverified stories make the rounds these days, especially if they disparage other nations. Oh, but those stories have a geopolitical purpose, even if they can't be verified.
Now that you introduced it, China and Russia and Iran are open to discussion.
Joseph Goebbels would be very proud of today's media.
It's pretty sad when the Democrat propaganda machine can't even back up this fools claims.
They just run with anything some other leftist cooks up.
You would think they would have some integrity and run at least a common sense check. But then again, bloggers will do anything for attention.
[deleted]
Privacy of a child victim exceeds prurient curiosity!
A news story that runs based on a single source from a doctor in Indianapolis who said she received a phone call from a doctor in Ohio who had a 10 year old girl who was pregnant from rape. Yet there has not been any criminal investigations found by fact checkers despite the Ohio law that mandates the doctor in Ohio MUST report this to the authorities. Even the doctor in Indianapolis has not responded to any news organizations who have attempted to contact her for verification. And the doctor in Indianapolis is a known abortion activist who has sued the State of Indiana to stop abortion regulations in the past.
If there is no verification that this story is true, why do you continue to defend it?
His prurient curiosity.
Oh, is that why Biden's defenders can't verify it?
This happened in Ohio and these so called "fact checkers" need to look at what happened after DeWine signed the bill. They also need to read all the local sources who were actually reporting.
Not to mention the privacy issue where the parents or guardians have the right to privacy concerning their child's healthcare and the crime perpetrated against this child was probably sealed for privacy reasons with the court.
Or maybe this is where the story came from?
A Columbus man has been charged with impregnating a 10-year-old Ohio girl, whose travel to Indiana to seek an abortion led to international attention following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade and activation of Ohio's abortion law .
Gershon Fuentes, 27, whose last known address was an apartment on Columbus' Northwest Side, was arrested Tuesday after police say he confessed to raping the child on at least two occasions. He's since been charged with rape, a felony of the first degree in Ohio.
Columbus police were made aware of the girl's pregnancy through a referral by Franklin County Children Services that was made by her mother on June 22, Det. Jeffrey Huhn testified Wednesday morning at Fuentes' arraignment. On June 30, the girl underwent a medical abortion in Indianapolis, Huhn said.
Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Cynthia Ebner said the case did not warrant Fuentes — who is believed to be undocumented — to be held without bond.
Ebner said a high bond was necessary, however, due to Fuentes being a possible flight risk and for the safety of the child involved. Before being arrested, Huhn and Det. David Phillips collected a saliva sample from Fuentes, according to a probable cause statement.
Ebner set a $2 million bond for Fuentes, who is being held in the Franklin County jail.
Shouldn't the media-beloved abortionist be charged for failing to report the rape of a child or for lying about same?
And shouldn't she lose her medical license either way?
How about the guilt of Joe Biden for letting all these people in?
You don't know that she didn't report it.
You don't know his immigration status.
You're a little late Pat. We just got the story from the Dispatch.
Look up..
Post 12...Fresh off the press
I only know what the Dispatch says because It's all we got.
It says:
"Fuentes — who is believed to be undocumented"
Furthermore:
"There is a Fox News report that it was able to confirm an abortion involving a ten-year-old girl in Indiana but could not confirm the other claims. Fox is also reporting that a HIPPA complaint has been filed against Dr. Caitlin Bernard. There remain, however, questions as to why the child had to leave Ohio, which has exceptions that would apply to the case. This may reflect confusion among these doctors, but the law seems clear on the available exceptions. There is also the question of what happened to this child and whether a police report was filed. There may have been such a report. It should not violate HIPPA or other laws to confirm that a report was filed and the victim has been protected by authorities."
The state of Ohio allows for it to have been done there. She is the exception that is allowed!
So what really happened in this strange case?
and how did the idiot in the White House get wind of it?
The abortion provider didn't need to report the rape as the child's mother already did.
The operative word there is "believed".
Too many unanswered questions right now.
How do you think Biden heard about this story?
Perhaps it was Dr Caitlin Bernard???
Your Dispatch link above clears that up.
It goes back to the Obama days. It gets quietly confirmed after everyone goes on to other news stories.
It was mainstream news well before Biden spoke about it.
She could have had the abortion in Ohio.
My Turley link clears that up. So why did she go to Indiana?
Show us
Links please
I can wait Pat, but you know what this is called:
It was so far under the radar, that as of this morning, many news outlets including the Washington Post were trying to verify it.
Again I ask for a
LINK
"Your Honor, the defense rests.."
Arrest made in rape of Ohio girl that led to Indiana abortion drawing international attention
Thrawn seeded this TWO WEEKS AGO.
Looks like my queen standing there...
When Biden said it there hadn't been a story on it anywhere.
Somebody put that Bee in his empty brain.
That is the article Vic already linked..................for one thing. He is asking for a link that shows it was in the mainstream media long before today. Oldest one I can find is July first in the Dispatch
That's NOW
Where was the news of it when Biden spoke of it?
12.1.23
Well Perry you fucked up, looks like you better reopen the case.
Ohio's attorney general dismissed the story of a 10-year-old child who sought an abortion after being raped. Days later, he celebrated a suspect's arrest in the case.
12.1.23
Your point ?
That it was a story July first. Biden spoke of it on the 8th. So yes, it was out there a week prior to his "speech". Problem?
You just confirmed my point, thank you JJ
I know
WTF are you babbling about Vic?
You JUST posted a link and block quoted the part that states that there was referral, informing the police, by Family services on JUNE 22nd.
So tell me Vic, WHY are you claiming that the OBGYN should be charged for failing to report the rape?
Your whole fucking seed pretends to abhor jumping to conclusions without sufficient evidence. Yet here you are assuming that the rapist entered the country after Biden was inaugurated.
You see Pat, although that little bulletin was published before Biden's claim last Friday, the story was based on IndyStar reporter Shari Rudavsky's report. It was at that point unverified and it is questionable if the local Ohio police had been informed at that time. Who told Rudavsky? The police only made an arrest yesterday after progressives have suddenly made this story a flash point. So if you and your team want a passing grade for finding a story before Biden's claim last Friday, all I can give you is a C. The huge question remains - why did this case get referred to an Indianapolis doctor, when the Ohio abortion law provides for exceptions and minors happen to be one.
The question remains as to why these doctors took this action when the treatment could have occurred in Ohio, which not only has an exception to protect the life of the mother but also “to to prevent the serious risk of the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.”
Here is what you ignored:
"Under Ohio law , any such case must be reported to police and Yost’s office would likely be involved in any DNA testing that is common in such cases. He said that his staff could not find a single police report or a lab case. Indiana law also requires medical professionals like Dr. Bernard to report such cases. So both the “child abuse doctor” and Dr. Bernard were presumably under an obligation to report the rape."
Glenn Kessler noted in his column in the Washington Post that the Indianapolis Star story did not seem to meet basic journalistic standards and that the lead reporter Shari Rudavsky also refused to answer basic questions. Kessler noted “the only source cited for the anecdote was Bernard. She’s on the record, but there is no indication that the newspaper made other attempts to confirm her account.”
Yes, that's what the Ohio AG reported several days ago. She didn't need to go to Indiana.
I just heard that she missed a deadline to request the abortion. That is evidently the reason. The doctor in Indy didn't want to tell us that part.
You failed, admit it.
for conspiracy?
This story has become almost as convoluted with disinformation (or deliberate lack of information) as the Uvalde shooting is.
The good doctor had the 27 year old illegal alien down as a 17 year old.
So I heard. The Indiana AG opened an investigation into this doctor's behavior. This article sums up all the mystery (so far) quite well.
Oh yes....."an “abortion activist acting as a doctor” who has a “history of failing to report” criminal incidents." I think you found the definitive article to date. Isn't it amazing how these stories that smell like 3 day old fish turn out to be leftwing inspired narratives. I knew right away when I saw that whole team here to defend this highly embellished incident that even the Washington Post was afraid of.
Thank you for the story.
(And a thank you to Mr Mason for bringing it to trial.)
another reason to use the NYP as liner for bird cages.
sounds like several reasons for a defamation lawsuit by Dr. Bernard,
a practicing, licensed OBGYN at Indiana University Health.
The Republican AG, Rokita, when informed, doubled down on his right
to pursue a "legal review".
In other words, a witch hunt.
Color me surprised.
Well it took all of 24 hours for Dr Bernard's lawyer to send a 'cease and desist'
letter to Rokita warning him to stop his defamation campaign.