There has been a lot of discussion about this girl’s plight, so this post will be longer than most.
At first, conservatives didn’t believe the rape even happened.
How conservative media weaponized a story about a 10-year-old and abortion, by Morgan Sung
Wednesday’s news of charges filed in connection to the assault have not marked the end of the story. Zignal Labs, a company that analyzes social media, broadcast, traditional media and online conversation, found that response to news of the arrest surpassed the furor around initial coverage.
Then the Republican AG from Indiana (where abortion is still legal) stated that he’ll begin investigating the doctor who treated the girl – which some view as an intimidation tactic.
Republican AG says he’ll investigate Indiana doctor who provide care to 10-year-old rape victim , by Myah Ward
“We’re gathering the evidence as we speak, and we’re going to fight this to the end, including looking at her licensure if she failed to report. And in Indiana it’s a crime … to intentionally not report,” state Attorney General Todd Rokita said on Fox News on Wednesday night. “This is a child, and there’s a strong public interest in understanding if someone under the age of 16 or under the age of 18 or really any woman is having abortion in our state. And then if a child is being sexually abused, of course parents need to know. Authorities need to know. Public policy experts need to know.”
Read more at Politico
Indiana AG eyes criminal prosecution of 10-year-old rape victim’s abortion doc, by Alice Miranda Ollstein
“Certainly, it’s an intimidation tactic,” said Fabiola Carrión, the director of reproductive and sexual health at the National Health Law Program. “It’s currently legal in Indiana to offer abortions up to 22 weeks of pregnancy. And even if it wasn’t, this is a life-endangerment situation. A 10-year-old with a still-developing body isn’t capable of delivering a baby.”
The doctor’s employer said that she didn’t violate any privacy laws
Indiana doctor who provided abortion services to 10-year-old girl did not violate privacy laws, says employer , by Joseph Choi
On Thursday, The Indianapolis Star reported that it had obtained documentation proving Bernard had properly disclosed the abortion to the state’s department of health. An attorney representing Bernard told the newspaper that she was considering legal action against those who had “smeared” her.
Indiana doc who performed abortion for 10-year-old tells AG to cease and desist, by Alice Miranda Ollstein
The doctor at the center of a firestorm over abortion rights sent a cease and desist letter to Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita on Friday demanding that he stop “making false and misleading statements” about her to the press.
Now, Republicans hope the issue will fade away into the background
‘Oh, God, no’: Republicans fear voter backlash after Indiana child rape case, by David Siders, Adam Wren and Megan Messerly
Republicans knew the minute Roe v. Wade was overturned that they had a political problem, particularly with moderates in the suburbs who they need to vote for GOP candidates in the midterms.
The unfolding story of a 10-year-old rape victim who crossed state lines from Ohio for an abortion in Indiana is confirming just how damaging the issue may be.
Republicans are shocked that a 10-year-old can get pregnant
Republicans are shocked that a 10-year-old can get pregnant after the Ohio rape victim abortion story proves true, by Scott Wong
“I’m amazed a 10-year-old got pregnant. … You really wrestle with that. That’s a tough one,” Rep. Bob Gibbs, R-Ohio, said Thursday.
An official from the National Right To Life thinks the 10-year-old should have had the baby
National Right To Live official: 10-year-old should have had baby, by Megan Messerly and Adam Wren
“She would have had the baby, and as many women who have had babies as a result of rape, we would hope that she would understand the reason and ultimately the benefit of having the child,” Bopp said in a phone interview on Thursday.
The CEO for Americans United for Life went so far as to state that the procedure on the girl wasn’t an abortion
An Abortion Is Not An Abortion If A 10-Year-Old gets One, Says Anti-Abortion Leader , by Jennifer Bendery
“I believe it would probably impact her life, and so, therefore, it would fall under any exception and would not be an abortion,” said Foster.
“Wait,” replied Swalwell, puzzled. “It would not be an abortion if a 10-year-old with her parents made the decision not to have a baby that was the result of a rape?”
“If a 10-year-old became pregnant as a result of rape and it was threatening her life, then that’s not an abortion,” Foster said. “So it would not fall under any abortion restriction in our nation.”
Here’s a good summary of everything that’s happened
Eric Swalwell Accuses Jim Jordan Of Extending GOP War On Women To ‘War On Little Girls’, by Mary Papenfuss
Jordan disparaged the story because he hates what the situation highlights, said Swalwell — that the Supreme Court’s ruling jettisoning Roe v. Wade, and the draconian state laws that followed, will “bring us government-mandated pregnancies for 10-year-olds, fourth-graders, little girls.”