Indiana AG warned over remark about abortion provided for a 10-year-old rape victim : NPR
By: NPR. org
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Updated July 15, 20224:59 PM ET Originally published July 15, 20224:18 PM ET
Indiana's attorney general, Todd Rokita, suggested that a doctor had violated state law by failing to report an abortion provided to a 10-year-old rape victim. A spokesperson for his office says that "no false or misleading statements have been made."
Darron Cummings/AP
An Indiana doctor who recently provided an abortion to a 10-year-old rape victim has sent a cease and desist letter threatening legal action against Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita. That comes after Rokita suggested without providing evidence that the doctor may have failed to report the abortion as required under state law.
Documents released to NPR and other media outlets by the Indiana Department of Health on Thursday confirm that Dr. Caitlin Bernard had indeed reported the abortion in a document filed with the state on July 2.
Reproductive rights in America
Doctor told the state she performed abortion on 10-year-old girl, document shows
The report indicated that Bernard had provided a medication abortion to the girl on June 30.
A letter sent to Rokita on Friday by Bernard's attorney, Kathleen DeLaney, reads in part: "Please cease and desist from making false and misleading statements about alleged misconduct by Dr. Bernard in her profession, which constitute defamation per se."
A spokesperson for Rokita's office, Kelly Stevenson, emailed NPR this response regarding the letter: "Like any correspondence, it will be reviewed if and when it arrives. Regardless, no false or misleading statements have been made."
Reproductive rights in America
A rape, an abortion, and a one-source story: a child's ordeal becomes national news
The girl's story became the focus of widespread attention and political debate after Bernard discussed it with The Indianapolis Star in a story about patients crossing state lines to obtain abortions in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's June 24 decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
Bernard said the girl had traveled from Ohio, where a trigger ban prohibiting most abortions had just taken effect.
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If he were smart and principled he'd say he made a mistake and move on. If he's only smart he'll drop it and move on.
We already know he's not principled. If he were, the cease-and-desist wouldn't have been necessary.
You're right.
forget it, they can't ever admit making a mistake...
Funny how just a few days ago the far right wingers here said Biden just made it up.
That was what they were being told by their only trusted news agency, Fox News. So naturally they would consider it God's truth.
He should have done his homework before he opened his mouth with such a threatening claim and make a complete ass of himself. But, being the Trump wannabe that he is, he thought he did not have to check whether or not the Dr had indeed neglected to file her report to the proper authorities. Now he will be the laughing stock of Indiana and be self-humiliated for the facts.
Typical Trump ass kissing wannabe. Can't say he wasn't warned. It's up to him now to drop the BS and apologize to the Dr. But, I won't hold my breath. He will likely double down on his original statement and make more of an ass wipe out of himself and Indiana.
nah, he is betting that he can shit talk a 10 year old and his base will love him for it. I think he is right, and that says a lot about his base.
You're right, He is a 'right' wing piece of poop that has gone rancid, and thinks of himself as all knowing and all powerful and can get his way without repercussions for his lie and false accusation.
But, the good Dr's lawyer quickly handed him his ass, and in public. Thus, he can't use the excuse that what he said was taken out of context to try and save face.
It will be interesting to see just how much of a bigger egotistical Trump ass wipe he can make of himself.
I am so sick of these nutjob republicans.
No false statements have been made?
They all just lie now and their own party just nods in agreement.
It was reported correctly and on time since the documents have been verified. The dumbass still continues to blow smoke with no proof.
I saw a report that the doctor has security protecting her.
Any truth teller likely needs protection from far-right wing fascists.
unfortunately it's going to take the emergence of a 21st century version of the weather underground to confront these assholes and force them back onto church property with a few graphic examples.
I think the threats to her and her children are meant to scare and a warning to all other Dr's about performing abortions. As if. I hope she's packing now too.
Fucking America, have to assume everyone is armned
Thanks for the link, dev. It seems that the Republicans are sinking further and further down the sewer trying the best to please their orange God, no matter how low they have to go to to do so.