Indiana Doctor’s Lawyer Tells AG to Halt False Statements

INDIANAPOLIS — A lawyer on Friday emailed the Indiana state’s lawyer common asking him to prevent spreading fake or misleading information and facts about an Indianapolis doctor who carried out an abortion in June on a 10-yr-old rape victim from Ohio.

Lawyer Kathleen DeLaney despatched the “cease and desist” letter to Indiana Republican Lawyer Basic Todd Rokita on behalf of obstetrician-gynecologist Caitlin Bernard, who performed a healthcare abortion on the female.

The letter states Rokita’s statements Wednesday on Fox Information “cast Dr. Bernard in a fake mild and allege misconduct in her profession.” DeLaney mentioned the physician could file a defamation declare versus Rokita if he does not comply.

Rokita told Fox that he would examine whether Bernard violated kid abuse notification or abortion reporting laws. He also reported his office environment would glance into irrespective of whether anything Bernard stated to the Indianapolis Star about the situation violated federal health care privateness legislation. He made available no specific allegations of wrongdoing.

Records acquired by The Involved Press and other community media demonstrate Bernard submitted the report July 2, which is within the state’s essential three-working day reporting period for an abortion performed on a woman young than 16.

“We are especially concerned that, supplied the controversial political context of the statements, these kinds of inflammatory accusations have the potential to incite harassment or violence from the community which could prevent Dr. Bernard, an Indiana accredited medical professional, from supplying care to her patents properly,” the letter states.

A 27-year-previous gentleman has been charged in the girl’s rape, confirming the case that was scrutinized by Republican politicians and some media shops. These reactions grew in intensity soon after Democratic President Joe Biden expressed sympathy for the female when signing an executive get preserving some abortionentry final week.

“Like any correspondence, it will be reviewed if and when it comes. Regardless, no phony or deceptive statements have been created,” Kelly Stevenson, a spokesperson in Rokita’s place of work, said by using e mail.

Bernard tweeted Friday that she hopes “to be in a position to share my story soon.”

“It has been a difficult week, but my colleagues and I will continue on to deliver healthcare ethically, lovingly, and bravely every and every working day,” she wrote.

Dr. Diana Contreras, main health treatment officer at Planned Parenthood Federation of The usa, issued a assertion indicating, “No health care company should really be harassed, intimidated, or criminalized for performing their position. It is unconscionable and unacceptable, and we condemn it in the strongest attainable conditions.”

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This story was initially revealed on July 15, 2022. It was current on July 17, 2022, to right feedback created by Lawyer Normal Todd Rokita about obstetrician-gynecologist Caitlin Bernard associated to an abortion she executed on a 10-year-outdated little one abuse target.

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