In a decision yesterday ignoring the health and welfare of young girls, the Ohio Supreme Court has allowed Planned Parenthood to hide records that may effectively demonstrate it broke the law by failing to alert parents of their young daughters’ abortions and failing to notify law enforcement officials of suspected sexual abuse.
Dr. Charmaine Yoest, AUL President & CEO, stated: “The American public is rightly outraged by Planned Parenthood’s blatant disregard for the welfare of young girls and their penchant for prioritizing profits over compliance with the law. Parents everywhere should be outraged that this court is now protecting a business that thrives on exploiting the most vulnerable.”
Americans United for Life filed an amicus brief in the case arguing that permitting Planned Parenthood to conceal their records and practices undermines statutory rape laws, exacerbates the harmful consequences of sexual abuse, and allows the perpetuated exploitation and coercion of young girls. AUL’s amicus brief, filed on behalf of U.S. Representatives from Ohio, John Boehner (House Minority Leader), Steve Chabot, Jim Jordan, Bob Latta, and Jean Schmidt, is available on AUL’s Web site.
Denise Burke, AUL Vice President of Legal Affairs stated: “This is just one of many instances around the nation where an abortion clinic has failed to abide by the law. By failing to demand that Planned Parenthood hand over important records — records that would be available to the plaintiffs in any other type of proceeding — the court has left young girls increasingly vulnerable and unprotected.”
The case, Roe v. Planned Parenthood, is a civil action filed against Planned Parenthood for failing to abide by the state’s parental involvement law, which at the time required that a parent be notified before a minor obtains an abortion. Despite the fact that the Plaintiffs’ 14-year-old daughter had an abortion, which was initiated and paid for by her 21-year-old soccer coach — who subsequently was convicted and served time for the sexual abuse — Planned Parenthood failed to alert the parents of the abortion or law enforcement officials of the suspected sexual abuse.
Mailee Smith, AUL Staff Counsel,stated: “The Ohio Supreme Court completely ignored the legislature’s protective intent in passing Ohio’s parental involvement laws. If the courts will not enforce the laws, we cannot effectively protect young girls from sexual abuse and their welfare remains at risk.”
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