Last summer, after it was officially debunked Roe v. Wade with the US Supreme Court Dobbs v. Jackson decision, the news was rocked by the story of a 10-year-old Ohio girl who became pregnant as a result of rape and had an abortion in nearby Indiana, performed by Dr. Caitlin Bernard. The story sparked widespread analysis and speculation, but turned out to be true when the suspect, illegal immigrant Gerson Fuentes, was arrested for rape. Bernard was in the news again when she appeared before the Indiana Medical Licensing Board for a disciplinary hearing on Thursday. according to the Associated Press.
As explained by the AP:
The hearing before the Medical Licensing Board comes after Indiana’s Republican attorney general accused Dr. Caitlin Bernard of violating state law by failing to report the girl’s abuse to Indiana authorities. She is also accused of violating federal patient privacy laws by telling a newspaper reporter about the girl’s treatment.
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Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s complaint asked the licensing board to impose “appropriate disciplinary action” but did not specify the requested penalty.
The Indiana board – made up of six doctors and one lawyer appointed by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb – could vote on whether to impose any penalties Thursday after a hearing that is expected to take several hours of testimony. State law gives the board wide discretion, allowing it to issue letters of reprimand, suspend, revoke or place a physician’s license on probation.
Last December, a judge ruled that the Medical Licensing Board did indeed have jurisdiction. Regarding the charges Bernard is facing, there were definitely concerns about reporting requirements as she reported that the rapist was 17 years aged when in fact he was 27 years aged.
Moreover, after Bernard’s conversation with the 10-year-old and her ordeal, so much attention was paid not only in the country, but also around the world. Indianapolis Starand from there it all spread like wildfire.
From the July 1 report:
On Monday, three days after the Supreme Court’s ruling was issued its landmark decision to overturn Roe v. WadeDr. Caitlin Bernard, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Indianapolis, received a call from a colleague, a pediatric physician in Ohio.
Hours after the Supreme Court’s decision, the Buckeye State banned abortions after six weeks. This doctor had a 10-year-old patient in his office who was six weeks and three days pregnant.
Could Bernard lend a hand?
…
But for now, the procedure is still legal here [in Indiana]. And so the girl was soon on her way to Indiana, under Bernard’s care.
As Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost confirmed, the 10-year-old victim would not have to travel to Indiana for an abortion because she would qualify for legal exceptions to save the mother’s life or cause sedate physical harm.
Ohio’s law has been embroiled in the courts, and Indiana’s abortion law, passed last August, is also facing a court battle.
This is not the first time Bernard has faced accusations of having to submit reports. Was accused by Indiana Right to Life in 2018 after public records were released for failing to report minor abortions. She too it has quite a long history being an abortion activist as Townhall and Megan Fox on our sister site PJ Media covered.
Bernard sued Rokita, but she finally gave up on the suit in December last year.
Rokita responded to the hearing on Twitter Thursday morning.
Our Indiana Supreme Court has long recognized that physicians must “maintain the confidentiality of all knowledge and information relating to a patient” unless disclosure is required by law or authorized by the patient. This is enshrined in the Indiana Administrative Code and case law.
— AG Todd Rokita (@AGToddRokita) May 25, 2023
This committee is deciding whether it is permissible in Indiana for a licensed physician pursuing political agendas, without the patient’s consent, to reveal enough details about this little girl’s tragic situation to allow the world to identify her and her family.
— AG Todd Rokita (@AGToddRokita) May 25, 2023
He also responded to a particularly sympathetic article about Bernard last October from the Washington Post..
She shared her patient’s personal medical information with a reporter at a political rally. I wouldn’t call it a “fight” for them. How would you feel if your doctor told the press about your medical injury? https://t.co/T2394RXnik
— AG Todd Rokita (@AGToddRokita) May 24, 2023
The AP article did not mention Fuentes, his immigration status or his relationship to the victim’s mother. The AP only mentions that “the 27-year-old man was accused of rape in Columbus, Ohio.” His trial that Mia and Fox I followed, continued until July 5.
