RUSTON, Louisiana, March 10, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A Louisiana court has ruled that a 15 year-old girl cannot obtain an abortion against the consent of her custodial parent, her mother. The girl’s estranged father accompanied her to an abortion clinic where he signed a consent form giving permission for the abortion. Louisiana law requires parental consent for minors requesting abortion. Upon hearing the news, her mother, with the help of Alliance Defense Fund lawyer Mike Johnson, were able to obtain an emergency injunction to delay the procedure.
Louisiana law states that a minor need only to have the consent of one parent in order to obtain an abortion. The court then had to decide whether a custodial parent had legal superiority in determining major decisions for a child.
Mike Johnson, as revealed in a weekly news alert from the Alliance Defense Fund, said that “As straightforward as this may sound, these issues are extremely complex in light of existing federal and state case law. Let’s just say that the local casinos would have gleefully given us very low odds for winning this case!” The court ruled in favour of the mother. Johnson reported that “Thanks to your prayers…the Lord showed up this morning and gave us a supernatural victory! The court ruled in our favour…and the decision will prevent the abortion of this baby!” There are already inquiries from Christian couples regarding adoption of the baby. The Alliance Defense Fund requests prayers for the girl, her family, and the baby, as she carries the child to term.
To send a note of congratulation to Mike Johnson, or to assist ADF in their many legal battles ahead, write or phone:
Alliance Defense Fund 15333 N. Pima Road Suite 165 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (480)444-0020 www.alliancedefensefund.org