Florida 16-year-old denied an abortion by the courts

Reporter: Gail Levy Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
medical exam room
Medical exam room. (Credit: WINK News)

A Florida teenager denied an abortion has been making headlines after a judge ruled against it, saying she isn’t mature enough to make that decision.

Florida law states if you’re under 18, you have to have consent from a parent or legal guardian before getting an abortion. This case is different because the girl doesn’t have parents right now.

It all boils down to the fact that she is just not old enough to make that decision.

Getting an abortion is not an easy decision. “Regret is part of the picture,” said Becky Anderson, executive director of Verity Pregnancy Medical Clinic.

Following through with an unwanted pregnancy can be difficult too. “Having to give birth, it’s even very traumatic as it is,” said Alex Carrasquel with Florida Access Network.

So-called regret or trauma is something a 16-year-old girl in north Florida is going to have to live with. At 10 weeks pregnant, she first came to the courts to seek approval for an abortion waiver.

Normally, a minor can get an abortion if her parent or legal guardian signed off, but this teenager, with her guardian ad litem and case worker by her side, wants to get around that.

“People want to shame kids, minors that become pregnant, but then the second that they seek help. And it’s just baffling to me that a decision that should be made within themselves is made by somebody else,” said Carrasquel.

Carrasquel works for Florida Access Network, which helps women get the abortion care they need or want.

On the other end is Becky Anderson. She’s the executive director of Verity Pregnancy Medical Clinic.

“Nobody is asking the question about adoption as a really great option,” said Anderson.

“It takes a toll on people regardless of wanting to keep that baby or not,” said Carrasquel.

In the 16-year-old’s written petition, she said she is mature enough to make this decision. She states that she is not ready to have a baby, has no job, is still in school, and the father isn’t able to help her.

“But there are hundreds, if not 1,000s, of couples who would love nothing more than to parent a child because they cannot have one,” said Anderson.

The teenager is known as Jane Doe 22-B. She lost both in court and on appeal.

One important point is that a minor who wants what’s called judicial bypass must have a signed and notarized waiver ready to be sent to an abortion provider, and there is no such form attached to the girl’s petition.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.