A 16-year-old without a parent can't get an abortion because she isn't mature enough, according to a Florida court.
A court ruling states that the minor is named Jane Doe and she lives with a relative. She wanted to get around Florida's parental consent law, which requires a parent's permission in order to have an abortion. She said she isn't ready to have a baby because she doesn't have a job, she's still in school and the father can't help her.
The girl's original petition stated that her guardian was fine with her getting the abortion, but she had written the statement on an "out of place" section of the form. The girl didn't have a lawyer and she checked the box that she didn't want one.
The trial court denied the minor's request because she was not ready for the emotional, physical, or financial responsibility of raising a child.
The judge ruled that the girl wasn't able to evaluate the benefits and consequences of having an abortion because she wasn't aware of the relevant considerations.
"Based on the nonadversarial presentation below, the trial court found that Appellant had not established by clear and convincing evidence that she was mature enough to make a decision about her unborn child," the ruling read.
Should the teenager be able to adequately articulate her request, there is a chance of legal reconsideration. The teen can get an abortion if she can convince her guardian that she needs to.
Harry Nelson is a healthcare attorney who is not involved in the case. The true believers who think it's a good thing to require children to have children are delusional.
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