Doctor who provided abortion care for 10-year-old rape victim to be investigated by Indiana AG

[shelshaw]

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita says his office plans to investigate a doctor who provided care for a 10-year-old rape victim who crossed state lines to have an abortion.”

Here we go…

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/indiana-attorney-general-doctor-abortion-investigation-b2123254.html

[people]

1. Dr. who provided abortion services to be investigated

This is so disgusting. These people are horrible. We are becoming Gilead. Margaret Atwood could see the future.

[madaboutharry]

2. This is solely for the purpose of intimidation.

No laws were broken and everyone knows it.

The AG is abusing the powers of the office of The AG.

[Wingus Dingus]

3. What are they investigating her for?

Just to harass and intimidate?

[Dr. Strange]

14. The doctor may have been a mandatory reporter.

If she didn't report the rape, that could be grounds for losing her license.

[RKP5637]

4. The GOP just can't leave anyone alone. They are a bunch of sick misfits. n/t

[wryter2000]

5. WTF is he going to investigate?

The doctor performed a legal procedure with the consent of the patient and parent(s). The doctor answers to the Indiana medical board, not the Ohio board.

[FBaggins]

10. Likely not what you assume

The doctor may have a duty to report what was obviously the rape of a minor.

[MySideOfTown]

17. She was 10 years old

There is no way she was pregnant without getting raped, even in backwards, bumfuck Indiana. So yes obviously, but it's backwards, bumfuck, shit hole Indiana, where the don't even have ACA.

[FBaggins]

19. Note that she traveled TO Indiana for the abortion

It was Ohio that supposedly banned the procedure (they now say this is incorrect... but that was the story) and where the rape occured. Indiana was the state she had to travel to for the procedure.

They may be backward in other ways... but I can't fault them for saying that doctors have a legal duty to report rapes of minors. If the doctor failed to do so... I have no qualms about prosecuting her.

[kiranon]

20. One can always file the necessary paperwork at a later date. Would not prosecute her at all.

It is likely one can file a later notice, The Republicans called it a hoax and she may have feared they would prosecute her for a hoax. She may not have been able to talk with the patient about who impregnated her. Of course it was rape but it has to be proven none the less or at least discussed. Perhaps it was reported in Indiana where the procedure was performed. If the Republicans wrote the law, there is probably something wrong with it that can make a later filing (just days) to report. And, this AG needs to be defeated in his next run for office. Compassion, judgement, reasonableness are also part of the law in my opinion.

[FBaggins]

23. No... one cannot "always file the necessary paperwork at a later date"

The legal obligation in Indiana is to immediately report.

IC 31-33-5-4 Immediate oral or written report to department of child services or law enforcement agency

Sec. 4. A person who has a duty under this chapter to report that a child may be a victim of child abuse or neglect shall immediately make an oral or written report to:

(1) the department; or

(2) the local law enforcement agency.

You're focusing on the abortion issue and on how Republicans acted in response. Neither is relevant in this specific case.

A little girl was raped and a doctor with a duty to report allegedly didn't do so. This is no minor paperwork kerfuffle. We think we now know who the rapist is, but we don't know of what his connection to the girl is. The law was written to protect her from her abuser. "Meh... the doctor can get around to reporting a few weeks later" is not an acceptable response.

The only acceptable excuse is that the AG is mistaken and the doctor did indeed report. "She can get around to it later... the abortion is the thing to focus on" isn't.

[ProfessorGAC]

25. This Is True Of Anybody...

...in a position considered a mandatory reporter.
The list of positions is long. Pretty much anybody who's job involves minors as a primary function.
Geez, I'm just a substitute teacher & i am required to report concerns by the end of the day they come up.
So, you're right, there's no "later date". Details can he added to a report in following days, reporting needs be at earliest possible opportunity.

[FBaggins]

27. Indeed... as it should be

Oh... I get it that some in your position might see a bruise and not be anxious to trigger CPS investigations when the kid says daddy didn't do it. I've heard of parents anxious of normal bumps and dings when they have nosy neighbors.

But this isn't that. If a ten-year-old girl is pregnant, then there's either a significant religious event occurring... or someone raped her. "Oh... I'll fix the paperwork next month" isn't going to hack it.

[ProfessorGAC]

29. For Sure

And yet, I'm still legally required, though a bruise might just be a bruise.
In my case, i might see that groups of kids 1-6 times a year, so I'd have no pattern for which to look.
Not sure if that makes it easier or harder.
In this case, the entire scenario can't exist unless a felony has been committed. The seriousness suggests immediacy. Demands it.
Now, i can see this doctor not reporting it in Indiana if told by the parents that report was already made in Ohio. I don't see how she's culpable if authorities already knew.
After all, they caught the slimeball shortly after all went public. They might have known for a while.

[Dale in Laurel MD]

15. The Indiana AG is the one threatening to investigate.

[wryter2000]

33. Thanks.

I didn't read it that way.

[2 Meow Momma]

6. Intimidation. Thug tactics. nt

[RKP5637]

8. Exactly, much like DeSantis down in Florida. Goes after little kids and those most vulnerable.

Easy prey for these vultures. Trying to get the votes from the creatures and deplorables in the US.

[RKP5637]

7. Advertising purposes. Look at me, I'm a tough AG I go after little kids in a bad situation and try

to punish everyone. Vote for me, I'm hard on little kids and helpful medical staffs. These kids are the gravest threat to our F'ed up country.

[agingdem]

9. The rapist isn't the criminal..the compassionate doctor is..

Reminiscent of Trump and Giuliani targeting the two election workers by name…but OMG beer boy Brett can’t eat his dessert at Morton’s in peace…imagine the horror!!!!

[FBaggins]

31. The rapist is in jail

He’s already been arrested.

[BlueIdaho]

11. There really is a special place in hell

For shit stains like Todd.

[ck4829]

12. Never forget that Republicans called this a hoax

[grumpyduck]

13. Hmmm... time for the AMA to get involved

and holler like hell. They're voters too.

You want publicity, Todd? You'll get it.

[ripcord]

16. Good

Mandatory reporting of child abuse means just that.

[scarletlib]

21. FYI. The rape took place in Ohio. The responsibility to report falls on Ohio doctors & persons there

Pretty sure Mom did report this to police. Therefore the obligation to report should be satisfied. She reported to authorities. It’s their job to follow through.

The Doctor in Indiana had nothing to report to the authorities in Indiana. The girl does not live there, the rape did not occur there.

There really is nothing for Indiana to investigate.

[Mad_Machine76]

24. Of course there isn't

the Indiana AG is on a holy crusade, however, and has to be seen DOING something. Everybody is a mandated reported but I don't know how many people are actually ever investigated for or prosecuted for failure to report (if she didn't)

[Bettie]

26. And the rape had already been reported to the applicable

organizations.

They are just being assholes.

[Mad_Machine76]

18. It would seem

that since abortion isn't illegal in Indiana yet, this is what they are going to use to go after doctors? Is there any evidence at the moment that she didn't? BTW *everybody* is a mandated reporter here in Indiana. Isn't this sort of what O'Keefe and other Planned Parenthood stings used to try to accuse healthcare clinics of?

[DFW]

22. The Indiana AG--now THERE is a pervert for you

To hell with a ten year old rape victim, but prosecute the doctor who freed her from her violently forced pregnancy.

These God Squad fanatics need to be dropped out of an airplane at 10,000 feet to see if they are granted immediate wings by the same deity they swear told them to subject ten year old girls to full term pregnancies. If they believe the one, they should believe the other.

[herding cats]

28. There is zero evidence it wasn't reported to the state Department of Health.

As a health care provider in a state which requires the procedures to be reported to the Indiana Department Of Health, I'd be highly surprised if it weren't. Reporting such as that are done by your assistant and are rote.

He's obviously thinking of running for higher office and this is a first step in his courtship dance to the base of Deplorables.

[Scottie Mom]

30. What fucking bullshit.

10 years old girls should not be raped and then forced to give birth. This is the definition of barbaric.