Congress is calling on a well-known late-term abortionist to provide answers after at least five women reportedly were injured in botched abortions at his Maryland abortion facility.
The U.S. Congressional Select Investigative Panel announced Wednesday that it is investigating late-term abortionist LeRoy Carhart and a Germantown, Maryland, abortion clinic where at least five abortion patients were transported by emergency responders to the hospital since December, according to public records.
Chairwoman Marsha Blackburn, a leading pro-life Congresswoman, said she was disturbed to learn how many women Carhart’s abortion facility appears to have injured in the past few months.
“We have an obligation to protect the most vulnerable at all stages of life,” Blackburn said. “Reports regarding the Germantown clinic are deeply troubling, both for the sake of babies whose lives are ended so close to—and possibly even after—birth and for the sake of the women who have been rushed from that clinic to the hospital with increasing frequency.
“In order to properly address these concerns, we have issued subpoenas not only to Dr. Carhart and his clinic, but also to hospitals and first responders who may have information that will be instructive,” she continued. “Time is of the essence.”
In March, Cheryl Sullinger, of Operation Rescue, reported to LifeNews that witnesses observed at least four women being transported to the hospital by ambulance in the past four months.
Here is more from the announcement:
The clinic is one of the few in the nation that performs abortions during the third trimester.
The Select Panel has issued subpoenas seeking further information about these troubling reports to nine entities, including: LeRoy Carhart; Germantown Reproductive Health Services; Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center; Holy Cross Germantown Hospital; Montgomery County Police Department; Montgomery County Department of Fire and Rescue Services; Montgomery County Emergency Communications Center; Butler Medical Transport; and the Maryland Board of Physicians. The Select Panel’s jurisdiction includes reviewing the practices of providers of second- and third-trimester abortions, and the care of infants born alive as a result of attempted abortions.
The subpoena asks Carhart to produce a series of documents and to testify on June 13 before the Congressional panel.
Carhart has faced investigations before, including one involving a young woman who died at his Maryland facility after a botched abortion.
The official death certificate for Jennifer Morbelli confirms the young woman died on February 7, 2013, from complications to a 33-week abortion done by late-term abortion practitioner LeRoy Carhart. But the Maryland county police later closed their investigation without filing criminal charges. The medical examiner’s office confirmed a botched 33-week abortion killed the young woman.
LifeNews previously reported that after Morbelli’s abortion, while still appearing “weak and pale” according to witnesses, Carhart released her to return to her hotel. He then left town. As Morbelli’s condition worsened, in the ensuing hours, Carhart could not be reached by family members or later by hospital emergency room staff, according to reports. Operation Rescue alleged in their complaint that Carhart’s conduct amounted to patient abandonment, which delayed emergency care that may have saved her life.
In May of 2013, Maryland health officials quietly released a report exonerating Carhart and saying an investigation found “no deficiencies” in Morbelli’s care at Carhart’s abortion facility. The abortion clinic itself was found to have problems, but none of them reportedly life-threatening.
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Other medical emergencies involving Carhart in Maryland, and his office in Bellevue, Nebraska since 2012 include:
• February 4, 2016, Bellevue, NE: Woman transported to hospital suffering from an incomplete abortion. (Video)
• January 19, 2016, Germantown, MD: Late-term abortion patient bleeding seriously transported to hospital. (Video and 911 recording)
• December 15, 2015, Germantown, MD: Abortion patient transported to emergency room while Carhart accompanies.
• July 2, 2014, Germantown, MD: African-American abortion patient transported to hospital.
• April 26, 2014, Bellevue, NE: Patient, 37, suffered from abdominal pain after Carhart had an “issue with the procedure.” (Video with 911 recording)
• March 4, 2014, Germantown, MD: Patient hemorrhaged after 2nd trimester abortion complications.
• November 30, 2013, Bellevue, NE: Patient suffered 2nd trimester abortion complications.
• November 26, 2013, Germantown, MD: Patient required emergency surgery. (Video with 911 recording)
• July 9, 2013, Germantown, MD: Patient hemorrhaged. (Video with 911 recording)
• February 7, 2013, Germantown, MD: Patient Jennifer Morbelli died of 3rd trimester abortion complications. (Autopsy Report)
• March 31, 2012, Bellevue, NE: Patient heard moaning and screaming during 911 call (Video with 911 recording.)
