April 21, 2010 - (Updated from 3/26/2010) - A Seattle mom, who requested anonymity, said she wasn't informed when her 15-year old daughter got an abortion after being given a pregnancy test at school.
The 15-year old visited a school-based health-care center, was given a pregnancy test, learned she was pregnant, was told she could receive an abortion and that if she did not tell her mother, the abortion would be free.
The Ballard Teen Health Center at Ballard High School called a cab and had the girl transported from school to a clinic where she received an abortion, all while the 15-year old's mother had no idea of what was happening to her daughter and her unborn grandchild.
The girl rode in the taxi alone, had the abortion, and was brought back to school where she continued her day.
The girl's mother only learned about the abortion months later after taking her daughter to the doctor for other health reasons. She admits to signing a consent form for off-campus medical treatment but says she thought that meant in case of emergencies.
Under Washington State law, children 13 years old and up can access mental health care and substance abuse treatment without letting parents know.
The form says kids can get reproductive health services through the school clinic, but abortion is not mentioned. The form also points out other services available to minors without parental notification: drug counseling and mental health treatment.
The argument is that some kids are afraid to go to parents, therefore, not receiving treatment they might need for depression or suicidal tendencies. The state cites examples where suicidal children got counseling that saved their lives. Critics say young teens are not mature enough to make such important health decisions.
“It’s a tragedy,” said Dan Kennedy, chief executive officer of Human Life of Washington, “that the daughter could be taken to have an abortion without her knowledge or consent.”
Kennedy said polling done by Human Life shows most people support parental notification regardless of their position on abortion.
“It’s the parent who understands the family medical history,” he said. “It’s the parent who loves that child. It’s the parent who’s responsible for that child.”
This has left questions in the minds of many parents as to exactly what's included in the "reproductive health-care" form they signed.
Sources:
CitizenLink.org
Fox News
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