AG Mike DeWine Opens Investigation of Planned Parenthood
Ohio Law Prohibits Sale of Aborted Babies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Katherine Franklin
DATE: Thursday, July 16, 2015 PHONE: (614) 547-0099 ext. 304
COLUMBUS, Ohio–Today, Attorney General Mike DeWine opened an investigation of Planned Parenthood’s surgical facilities following the release of an undercover video showing Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s Senior Director of Medical Services admitting that the organization harvests and sells parts of aborted babies. State law prohibits the sale of aborted babies. The charitable law section of the Attorney General’s office will subpoena records for Planned Parenthood’s offices in order to discover whether or not Planned Parenthood is in violation of the Ohio Revised Code.
“A potential black market for the sale of aborted babies was unearthed this week, and it is critical that Ohio responds swiftly to ensure that such a horrendous practice does not exist within our borders,” said Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life. “The ban on the sale of aborted babies has been on the books since 1974 and has withstood the test of time. Yet Planned Parenthood has found a way to remove the last shred of dignity for the unborn baby by selling their body piece by piece.”
Half of Ohio’s abortion facilities have closed over the last four years, oftentimes because of failure to meet health and safety standards for ambulatory surgical facilities. Last summer, Planned Parenthood of Bedford Heights was fined $25,000 by the Ohio Department of Health for health and safety violations, to include the improper storage of eight containers of human tissue.
“As with the case of Kermit Gosnell, abortion once again has surfaced in the American conscience as something gruesome and inhumane,” said Gonidakis. “As much as we wish this story weren’t true, we know what abortion is. We know the pain and trauma that it causes for over 23,000 babies in Ohio. And we know the lengths Planned Parenthood will go to make a profit off of a vulnerable woman and her unborn child. We thank the Attorney General for taking a stand for human life in Ohio.”
Ohio Right to Life is currently working with pro-life state senators to ensure that Ohio has the strongest laws to prohibit the selling of aborted babies. Tuesday, Ohio Right to Life started a petition to de-fund Planned Parenthood. Pro-life state and congressional leaders have added their names to the petition, and the offices of Governor John Kasich and State Auditor Dave Yost have both released statements on the scandal.
Founded in 1967, Ohio Right to Life, with more than 45 chapters and local affiliates, is Ohio’s oldest and largest grassroots pro-life organization. Recognized as the flagship of the pro-life movement in Ohio, ORTL works through legislation and education to promote and defend innocent human life from conception to natural death.
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