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Abortion Clinic That Refused To Help Mother Whose Baby Was Born Alive Facing Legal Complaints

ORLANDO, April 29, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - On Wednesday, Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit litigation, education and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of human life and the traditional family, filed two complaints against the abortion clinic that refused to help a mother whose baby was born alive at the clinic. The complaints were filed with the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. The mother, Angele, is represented by Liberty Counsel.

Angele had gone to the EPOC clinic in Orlando to obtain an abortion. After the first day of the procedure, Angele was required to return to the clinic the next day for the actual induced abortion. When her baby was born alive, Angele immediately screamed for help, but the clinic workers refused to help her. She watched helplessly as her son, Rowan, breathed his last breath. Amazingly, during this entire process, no physician was even present at the abortion clinic.

The complaint filed with the Department of Health is against Dr. Harry Perper, who performed the procedure the first day but was not present the second day, and against Dr. James Pendergraft who owns and supervises the clinic. Several violations of Florida laws are detailed in the complaint. Among the violations are the complete absence of a doctor during the abortion procedure, causing a death certificate to improperly state that Rowan was still-born, and a complete lack of post-operative care. After the procedure, Angele was rushed out the door and received no follow-up care. Importantly, Angele did not receive a rhogam shot which was medically necessary for her, given her blood type.

The complaint filed with the Agency for Health Care Administration details the same violations of state law as the Department of Health complaint, but also focuses on the unsanitary conditions of the clinic. The clinic "delivery room" had dried blood on the floor and the walls and Angele observed a used, bloody cotton ball on the floor.

Mathew D. Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, stated: "We are hopeful that these complaints will lead to immediate change in the form of discipline against the doctors and revocation of the abortion license for the clinic. But we are also hopeful that these complaints will serve as the catalyst for long-term change. Abortion clinics are the least regulated medical facilities in the state of Florida. That needs to change. It is a travesty that tattoo parlors are more heavily regulated than abortion clinics." Staver concluded, "These doctors need to be held accountable for their actions, and we intend to pursue these complaints to that end. Part of promoting a culture of life in America means holding abortion doctors and clinics accountable when they violate the law."

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Abortion Clinic Workers Refuse To Help Mother Screaming to Save Live Child
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/apr/05042504.html

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