Public School Helps Girl Get Abortion

DaemonSeid · #1 03-25-2010, 11:27 AM

In an unbelievable case that should outrage parents across the country, a public high school in Washington State helped a 15-year-old student get an abortion during school hours without parental consent.

The teenage girl had taken a pregnancy test at the school’s health center, according to a local news report, and administrators subsequently arranged for her to get an abortion at a county-run clinic. The girl was given a pass during school hours, put in a taxi and sent off to a local facility that’s overseen by the King County Health Department in Seattle. It is not known what classes she missed or if she will be allowed to make up the work.

The girl’s mother says the only consent form she signed allowed her daughter to be treated at the school’s health center for ailments such as earaches and sports physicals but not for terminating a pregnancy. She assures that nowhere in the paperwork does it mention “abortion or facilitating abortion.”

Clinic officials told the girl that if she concealed the pregnancy from her family, the abortion would be free of charge and there would be no financial responsibility. The school (Ballard High) is the Seattle District which is the largest in Washington State with more than 45,000 students in 88 schools.

District officials claim they have no knowledge of what goes on in the high school clinics because the district doesn’t run them. The private company that operates the health facilities, Swedish Medical Center, protects students’ privacy and never divulges medical information, they say.

link

Someone help me, what law was broken?

MysticCat · #2 03-25-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

In an unbelievable case that should outrage parents across the country . . . .

I pretty much stopped reading there. I'm just not a fan of advocacy journalism.

DaemonSeid · #3 03-25-2010, 11:32 AM

Ok...and I thought I was the only crazy one.

Kevin · #4 03-25-2010, 11:33 AM

This happens more than you'd think.

Discretion is key.

As far as laws go, one would have to be versed in Washington law to answer that question... and whether the consent form could be construed to allow the school to assist in procuring abortions would require more info than we have.

DaemonSeid · #5 03-25-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

This happens more than you'd think.

No kidding. You don't say...

Ghostwriter · #6 03-25-2010, 11:49 AM

Speechless, if true.

Psi U MC Vito · #7 03-25-2010, 11:34 AM

I don't think we have have anybody on the Washington Bar here, so obviously we won't take what you say as Gospel. that being said, what is the law on this? Does a child require consent from the parents for an abortion or can they make that decision themselves?

ETA: So according to the full article, she didn't require consent for the abortion. In fact that only things that seems off is that she does require consent to miss classes.

Kevin · #8 03-25-2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Does a child require consent from the parents for an abortion or can they make that decision themselves?

It's not an area I've dealt with ever. I don't have a Washington Westlaw subscription, so I'm not even going to hazard a guess.

PiKA2001 · #9 03-25-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

The girl’s mother says the only consent form she signed allowed her daughter to be treated at the school’s health center for ailments such as earaches and sports physicals but not for terminating a pregnancy. She assures that nowhere in the paperwork does it mention “abortion or facilitating abortion.”

Clinic officials told the girl that if she concealed the pregnancy from her family, the abortion would be free of charge and there would be no financial responsibility.

I find it odd/disturbing that they pushed her to hide it from her family. So was this a "public funded" abortion then?

MysticCat · #10 03-25-2010, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I find it odd/disturbing that they pushed her to hide it from her family. So was this a "public funded" abortion then?

I'd be really leery of trusting anything in this article. It might be true, it might not be -- but even if true, you can count on it being spun for maximum effect.

ETA: I found the same quote in the Seattle Post Intelligencer. That said, I find myself a little leery of trusting what the mother says (that presumably her daughter, whom the mother describes as a "pro-life advocate," told her) without hearing anything from the other side. Something doesn't sound quite right. I'm guessing that the mother never would have known if the daughter hadn't told her. Maybe it's just like the mother said, but I can't help but wonder if the daughter was feeling some major guilt and maybe described things in a way to deflect some of that guilt.

deepimpact2 · #11 03-25-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I'd be really leery of trusting anything in this article. It might be true, it might not be -- but even if true, you can count on it being spun for maximum effect.

ETA: I found the same quote in the Seattle Post Intelligencer. That said, I find myself a little leery of trusting what the mother says (that presumably her daughter, whom the mother describes as a "pro-life advocate," told her) without hearing anything from the other side. Something doesn't sound quite right. I'm guessing that the mother never would have known if the daughter hadn't told her. Maybe it's just like the mother said, but I can't help but wonder if the daughter was feeling some major guilt and maybe described things in a way to deflect some of that guilt.

I agree. I'm just going to wait until more details come out. There is something suspicious about this story.

Alumiyum · #12 03-25-2010, 08:34 PM

Sometimes teens or college students can apply to receive aid for an abortion from private funds. It could have been such a situation.

I don't think the school should've gotten her a taxi and helped her get there during school hours...that just seems like a horrible idea from a liability stand point, but I imagine the fact that she's an honor student and probably felt strongly about the possibilities of limiting her academic future made the powers that be sympathetic.

The school nurse should've just guided her in the right direction. A pamphlet from the clinic or a Planned Parenthood and a taxi service number if she needed it. I also doubt, though, that it happened exactly as it's being reported.

Ghostwriter · #13 03-26-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

I agree. I'm just going to wait until more details come out. There is something suspicious about this story.

Agree. I am pro-life but there is definitely something a little off with this story. I think Mystic is right. The girl may now be feeling remorse. I seriously doubt anyone forced an abortion on her. She was probably just scared and in a panic and took what she thought was the easiest way to get through this ordeal. It is unfortunate the way it has turned out.

srmom · #14 03-25-2010, 12:33 PM

What if there was some medical complication causing injury during the abortion (an elective procedure, not a medical emergency)? Who would answer for that?

Personally, I don't think that medical procedures should be performed on minors without a parent/guardian's consent, except in the case of emergency.

I can't believe the school district would open itself up to the liability in this case.

Boodleboy322 · #15 03-26-2010, 08:09 PM

Wow - I can't believe that this type of stuff occurs. The Conservatives and Catholic Church would tear this case up. First of all, if the child is out having sex while living in the parent's house then it should be addressed to the parents or move out. I understand that rape is possible but even in that case the parent should still know. This is crazy.