On Wednesday, Abortion On Trial (AOT), a pro-life New Mexico-based group announced that charges for a woman who was arrested at “Women’s Reproductive Clinic” in Sunland Park were dropped.
According to the group, the woman going by “Jane Doe” was arrested on September 1, 2020 after she returned with the body of her deceased baby who was delivered at home following a botched surgical abortion at the facility.
“Jane went to the clinic in physical pain and emotional panic in order to get help, answers, and her medical records. The abortion provider, Dr. Franz Theard, refused to speak with Jane and instead fled the scene in his car after instructing police be called on her.”
“After the abortion facility illegally took custody of her baby’s body, police arrested both Jane and her husband. Jane’s husband’s charges were later dropped but Jane’s remained,” the press release reads.
Sidewalk advocates from Southwest Coalition for Life were on-scene that day, however, and made sure that she had proper medical care following her botched abortion and home delivery. Abortion On Trial’s attorney, Mike Seibel, also got involved and took immediate steps to defend Jane against the abortionist.
“It took more than 120 days for Women’s Reproductive Clinic to release Jane’s medical records to her. That delay resulted in even more court battles as AOT’s attorney, Mike Siebel, sought to hold Women’s Reproductive Clinic in contempt of a court order. Women’s reproductive clinic responding to that attempt with proposed sanctions against Mr. Seibel,” according to AOT.
Later, the charges against Jane were “dismissed without prejudice” and the proposed sanctions against Mr. Seibel and request for Women’s Reproductive Clinic to have their legal fees paid for were denied, a victory for Jane and for the pro-life movement.
“Jane’s case is the beginning of fighting back against the bullying women so often experience before and after abortion. Franz Theard and his staff now know that people will push back and stand up for the women they previously got away with mistreating. Women watching this case now know that people will stand beside them in a battle against corrupt doctors. This may not be the last we see of Jane and her story, but it is the last we will see of Franz Theard harming women without being actively opposed,” wrote Abortion On Trial.
“We hope Jane’s story will continue to spread as a beacon of awareness and precaution to those considering abortion,” said AOT Executive Director, Jamie Jeffries. “We hope those who oppose abortion see this case and realize just how much women need compassionate care after abortion. And we hope those who support providers like Franz Theard see this case and realize who is having women arrested at abortion clinics…and who is fighting for them when that happens.”