A baby has been saved from abortion and placed with loving adoptive parents after the sheriff of Mason County, Michigan, refused to authorize an abortion for an inmate in his county jail.
Sheriff Kim Cole told the story at a pro-life fundraising dinner, which was reported on by the Mason County Press earlier this week:
“Last summer, sometime in July or August, I was sitting at my desk and the department nurse came to see me. She told me that we had another pregnant inmate — we had four at one time — at that the girl wanted an abortion.
“I said no. The taxpayers of Mason County weren’t going to pay for that. If she wanted to get an abortion she would have to get a court order.”
Cole said he consulted with Undersheriff Jody Hartley who agreed with him about the decision. The sheriff said a couple months then went by and he really hadn’t heard anymore about the issue.
“We were told that the inmate had received a court order allowing her to get an abortion. I again spoke with Undersheriff Hartley about this and we decided that we would call some folks and commit the day to prayer.
“While preparing for the procedure the young lady had a change of heart and decided she wasn’t going to have an abortion. After that, she and I would meet every couple of weeks or so. I remember telling her that she is a hero.”
After the woman was released from jail, she gave birth and placed the baby in an open adoption. She called Cole from the hospital and he was able to hold the baby he’d helped to save. The sheriff now displays a photo of himself with the baby on his desk and on his cell phone, and keeps in touch with the mother, who sends him updates regularly.
“She sent me a video just the other day,” Cole told the Mason County Press. “You know, this community has faced some tough times in the past couple of years. It’s just really good to hear a good story.”
To read the complete story from the Mason County Press, click here.