ORTL Calls for Investigation of All Ohio Abortion Facilities
Ohio House Introduces Legislation to Require Humane Treatment of Aborted Children
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Katherine Franklin
DATE: Monday, December 14, 2015 PHONE: 614-547-0099 ext. 304
COLUMBUS, Ohio–Today, Ohio Right to Life called on the Ohio Department of Health to investigate how Ohio’s abortion facilities’ dispose of aborted fetal remains. This follows Attorney General Mike DeWine’s investigation which revealed Planned Parenthood to be sending aborted fetal remains to landfills. The Attorney General argues that this is in violation of Ohio Administrative Code (3701-47-05) which requires that aborted fetal remains be disposed humanely.
“In 2014, 21,186 abortions were carried out in Ohio,” said Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life. “Sadly, when children are being aborted in droves, we have every reason to believe that the abortion industry is going to seek the most convenient route to dispose of their bodies. Aside from Planned Parenthood, many other abortion facilities could be disposing of aborted children in the same heartbreaking manner.”
Ohio Right to Life is working with the Ohio House of Representatives to pass legislation to ensure that the aborted remains of babies are treated humanely. At a Statehouse press conference today, two pieces of legislation were announced. The first will be sponsored by Representatives Barbara Sears (R-Monclova Township) and Tim Ginter (R-Salem) and would limit the number of options available to abortionists to humane burial and cremation. The second will be sponsored by Representatives Robert McColley (R-Napoleon) and Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield) and would increase informed consent by requiring full disclosure to women pursuing abortions of the abortionist’s intent for disposing of the aborted baby. Companion legislation will be introduced by Senator Joe Uecker (R-Miami Township) in the Senate.
“This is both a matter of public health and moral character,” said Gonidakis. “The pre-born bodies of Ohio’s children do not belong in our trash, and landfills should not function as their mass unmarked graves. These children are individuals with their own intrinsic dignity. Along with salvaging their remains, Ohio Right to Life is intent on salvaging their dignity along with the truth.”
Ohio Right to Life thanks its statewide affiliated organizations who maintain a vigilant watch over the status of abortion facilities in their local communities. To read Ohio Right to Life’s letter to the Ohio Department of Health, click here.