A Seattle mother is furious after learning that her 15-year-old daughter was sent by her school’s health center for a secret abortion, reports ABC-affiliate KOMO.
The mother, identified only as “Jill,” says her daughter was given a pregnancy test at Ballard High School’s Teen Health Center, which came back positive. Rather than informing the parents, she said, the center gave the girl a pass and put her in a taxi for the abortuary, all during school hours.
“They just told her that if she concealed it from her family, that it would be free of charge and no financial responsibility,” Jill said.
She added that she had signed a consent form allowing her daughter to be treated at the health center, thinking it covered issues like earaches, sports physicals, or even contraception, but wasn’t aware they would be arranging abortions.
“Nowhere in this paperwork does it mention abortion or facilitating abortion.” she said. “Signing this paper makes me feel like my rights were completely stripped away.”
T.J. Cosgrove of the King County Health Department, which oversees the center, explained that Washington state does not recognize parents’ opinions on such issues. “At any age in the state of Washington, an individual can consent to a termination of pregnancy,” he said.
Contact Information:
Principal Phil Brockman
Ballard High School
1418 NW 65th Street
Seattle, WA 98117
Phone: 206-252-1000
Fax: 206-252-1001
E-mail: [email protected]
