Planned Parenthood Video Sting: Was Clinic Allowing Secret Abortions?
Photo: Lila Rose, president of pro-life group "Live Action."
In the video, created by anti-abortion group "Live Action," the organization's president, Lila Rose, posed as a 14-year-old girl impregnated by her 31-year-old boyfriend. She told employees at the Birmingham Planned Parenthood that she needed to have a secret abortion.
At first the Planned Parenthood staffer tried to help her find someone who could give consent, but eventually said the clinic sometimes "bends the rules" and a manager would need to make the call.
Video: "Live Action" undercover video.
Alabama law requires minors to have signed consent from a parent or legal guardian to have an abortion.
But state health officials found that nine minors, ages 13-15, had received abortions at the Birmingham Planned Parenthood without proper verification of consent since November 2008.
They also cited problems with the reporting of suspected sexual abuse. One of the 13-year-olds who received an abortion said she starting having sex at age 12. She was back at the clinic for another abortion four months later.
The clinic is on probation for one year, which means it is subject to increased inspections and the health department can revoke its license if problems are not corrected.
Alabama Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Felicia Brown-Williams said the group has already given the state a plan to correct the violations.
Rose said she applauds the state's efforts but feels the one-year probation is too lenient.