Sat Sep 6, 2014, 07:23 PM

WillyT (72,631 posts)

Pennsylvania Mother Who Gave Daughter Abortion Pill Gets Prison - Reuters/HuffPo

Pennsylvania mother who gave daughter abortion pill gets prison
By David DeKok - Reuters/RawStory
Saturday, September 6, 2014 15:32 EDT

<snip>

HARRISBURG Pa. (Reuters) – A Pennsylvania woman has been sentenced to up to 18 months in prison for obtaining so-called abortion pills online and providing them to her teenage daughter to end her pregnancy.

Jennifer Ann Whalen, 39, of Washingtonville, a single mother who works as a nursing home aide, pleaded guilty in August to obtaining the miscarriage-inducing pills from an online site in Europe for her daughter, 16, who did not want to have the child.

Whalen was sentenced on Friday by Montour County Court of Common Pleas Judge Gary Norton to serve 12 months to 18 months in prison for violating a state law that requires abortions to be performed by physicians.

She was also fined $1,000 and ordered to perform 40 hours of community service after her release. The felony offense called for up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Matthew Bingham Banks, Whalen’s lawyer, previously told Reuters criminal prosecutions of this kind were not common.

Whalen told authorities there was no local clinic available to perform an abortion and her daughter did not have health insurance to cover a hospital abortion, the Press Enterprise newspaper of Bloomsburg reported.

<snip>

More: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/09/06/pennsylvania-mother-who-gave-daughter-abortion-pill-gets-prison/

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171 replies	Author	Time	Post
Pennsylvania Mother Who Gave Daughter Abortion Pill Gets Prison - Reuters/HuffPo (Original post)	WillyT	Sep 2014	OP
Yet another WTF! n/t	RKP5637	Sep 2014	#1
I think I'm up to about three a day.	CanonRay	Sep 2014	#103
Me too.	Enthusiast	Sep 2014	#130
Oh for crying out loud, this is insane and so wrong.	Voice for Peace	Sep 2014	#2
It is insane	tooeyeten	Sep 2014	#164
Meanwhile a cop who killed not only walks free, has money to support his defense.	Initech	Sep 2014	#3
Just makes me want to cry. eom	marym625	Sep 2014	#95
WTF?	PoutrageFatigue	Sep 2014	#4
And so it starts...	Live and Learn	Sep 2014	#5
Seems like society has been moving	abelenkpe	Sep 2014	#18
That's a cognitive distortion.	CBHagman	Sep 2014	#20
Since Reagan's first election, it just took a bit of time to be visible. nt	Erich Bloodaxe BSN	Sep 2014	#113
So it CONTINUES.	LeftOfWest	Sep 2014	#76
When everybody on this thread SCREAMS E N O U G H maybe we will actually	randys1	Sep 2014	#151
How did the authorities even know about this? Did something happen to the daughter	mackerel	Sep 2014	#6
The daughter had severe cramping and bleeding after taking the prescription only abortifacient and	Fred Sanders	Sep 2014	#7
This nurse agrees with you.	840high	Sep 2014	#10
I think all abortions...	ReRe	Sep 2014	#53
Because it's not necessary and would cost much more money.	HERVEPA	Sep 2014	#86
The death penalty should be done in hospitals as well	SonofMarx	Sep 2014	#112
I would suspect that most medical personnel don't believe in the death penalty.	Erich Bloodaxe BSN	Sep 2014	#115
But if they had had med people at that execution in AZ he might have lived!!!	SonofMarx	Sep 2014	#148
Sounds plausible...	ReRe	Sep 2014	#167
Just like we require all colonoscopies be done in a hospital,	Ms. Toad	Sep 2014	#168
You say "There is good medical reasons to have such drugs supervised by a physician."...	ljm2002	Sep 2014	#14
According to google maps the nearest planned parenthood center is only an hours drive	cstanleytech	Sep 2014	#23
Yes thank dog for google, how else would we be so well informed about women's issues.	beam me up scottie	Sep 2014	#85
That's four hours total driving, brcause of PA's stupid laws	HERVEPA	Sep 2014	#87
Where is the one that is 4 hours away? I found one that was a 1 hour drive one way.	cstanleytech	Sep 2014	#98
One hour each way.	HERVEPA	Sep 2014	#117
Well thats just silly. nt	cstanleytech	Sep 2014	#134
Does that PP actually offer abortion services?	xmas74	Sep 2014	#121
correction: "because of the actions of religious nutbags" I'm sure that's what you meant.	AnotherMother4Peace	Sep 2014	#122
Yes, I'm sure it was.	beam me up scottie	Sep 2014	#137
Incorrect information was given her. There are Planned Parenthood clinics throughout Pennsylvania,	still_one	Sep 2014	#50
That's not a reason to send the mother to jail for 18 months	kcr	Sep 2014	#28
Absolutely. This is NOT the morning after pill, and not utilizing a doctor is child endangerment. A	still_one	Sep 2014	#33
The entire article which for some reason neglects to mention the	Fred Sanders	Sep 2014	#43
Agreed. This is NOT the morning after pill	still_one	Sep 2014	#48
I know it's not the morning after pill. I don't care.	kcr	Sep 2014	#72
The sentence is bullshit, but most likely unintentionally the mother put her child's life at risk.	still_one	Sep 2014	#79
I'm not disputing that it was a dangerous thing to do	kcr	Sep 2014	#80
I know you are not. That is why elections have consequences, and the next president through the SC	still_one	Sep 2014	#81
I agree	kcr	Sep 2014	#82
"The sentence is bullshit" OH I agree 100% with you there.	cstanleytech	Sep 2014	#101
The powerful drug is given in pill form, so it's a pill.	HERVEPA	Sep 2014	#88
Seriously, wtf?	beam me up scottie	Sep 2014	#90
As a Pllanned Parenthood patient escort volunter,	HERVEPA	Sep 2014	#94
There's more than one.	beam me up scottie	Sep 2014	#138
abortifacient is a term used in herbology. It refers to something that induces miscarriage.	KittyWampus	Sep 2014	#144
I would tend to agree but it appears	treestar	Sep 2014	#166
Agreed. This story is a whole lot of "but on the other hand"	MattBaggins	Sep 2014	#66
except in some places it's available otc	marym625	Sep 2014	#96
That's not the pill being discussed.	Codeine	Sep 2014	#102
I realize it's not the morning after pill	marym625	Sep 2014	#110
Two glaring points stick out	kelliekat44	Sep 2014	#8
Hmmm I kinda doubt there is a large demand for an abortion clinic	cstanleytech	Sep 2014	#27
Actually Pennsylvania has planned parenthood. The drug she gave her daughter is a serious drug that	still_one	Sep 2014	#49
Pennsylvania is a large state geographically	Beaverhausen	Sep 2014	#153
don't know	still_one	Sep 2014	#162
This country is insane.	EEO	Sep 2014	#9
not necessarily. It is about not doing this under a doctor's supervision. This medication induces	still_one	Sep 2014	#35
Induced miscarriages are not to be administered by your mother.....the whole article is click bait.	Fred Sanders	Sep 2014	#44
I didn't click the link, but I agree with you	still_one	Sep 2014	#47
How terribly sad- and it makes me furious!	Tumbulu	Sep 2014	#11
She got prison because she waited two weeks to take the kid to a hospital	msanthrope	Sep 2014	#12
According to the article...	ljm2002	Sep 2014	#15
You are conflating her conviction with her sentencing. nt	msanthrope	Sep 2014	#17
She was sentenced for something other than what she was convicted for?	eShirl	Sep 2014	#24
No. But when you are sentenced, the judge can and will take into account	msanthrope	Sep 2014	#100
I'm not conflating anything...	ljm2002	Sep 2014	#83
Indeed...her actions before and after regarding her daughter definitely	msanthrope	Sep 2014	#99
This pill should have been given under a doctor's supervision. It can cause major hemorrhaging.	still_one	Sep 2014	#36
Where did you get the 'two weeks' info?	Beaverhausen	Sep 2014	#156
I'm a criminal defense attorney here in PA.	msanthrope	Sep 2014	#161
It's a good thing abortions are legal	Kalidurga	Sep 2014	#13
If the state is acting as the protector of the family	procon	Sep 2014	#16
How are they denying them their rights?	cstanleytech	Sep 2014	#45
Planned Parenthood would have been the best course for them to pursue	still_one	Sep 2014	#51
Not all PP offers those types of services.	xmas74	Sep 2014	#65
I think some think PP is the equivalent of McDonalds for women's health services	kcr	Sep 2014	#73
In my case,	xmas74	Sep 2014	#120
Do we know if the local Planned Parenthood is a decent one?	truedelphi	Sep 2014	#57
.	AuntPatsy	Sep 2014	#19
.	BlancheSplanchnik	Sep 2014	#21
Was this an elected prosecutor and judge from a Jeeezus county?	Hoppy	Sep 2014	#22
unfuckingbelievable	progressoid	Sep 2014	#25
This message was self-deleted by its author	rbrnmw	Sep 2014	#26
Holy Mary Mother of God	BallardWA	Sep 2014	#29
wtf	rbrnmw	Sep 2014	#30
The question is did the daughter consent, or was the pill given without her knowledge. Another	still_one	Sep 2014	#31
I agree with the sentence.	Avalux	Sep 2014	#32
Absolutely. From these posts they obviously are not comprehending that this isn't so much about	still_one	Sep 2014	#37
They may be confusing it with the 'morning after' pill, which it isn't. n/t	Avalux	Sep 2014	#40
I suspect that also. RU486, Mifepristone	still_one	Sep 2014	#41
Why would we be confusing it with a morning after pill? it doesn't say it's the morning after pill.	kcr	Sep 2014	#75
.	beam me up scottie	Sep 2014	#78
Well, the mother is apparently NOT a medical professional	Live and Learn	Sep 2014	#52
What if her child had died?	Avalux	Sep 2014	#54
Actually, she was somewhat in the medical profession	Live and Learn	Sep 2014	#59
Wow.	Avalux	Sep 2014	#69
You don't have any knowledge of the drug used either.	Live and Learn	Sep 2014	#89
Yes I do.	Avalux	Sep 2014	#104
And where exactly did you find that it was Mifepristone that was used?	Live and Learn	Sep 2014	#123
I'm sorry, but your comment is naive.	Feral Child	Sep 2014	#119
Of course, Europe is just so much behind us in their medical care.	Live and Learn	Sep 2014	#125
Where did you get that	Feral Child	Sep 2014	#143
I can't defend the mother, but the sentencing	Ilsa	Sep 2014	#71
It seems to me a medical professional with a Wendy Davis sig	kcr	Sep 2014	#74
Oh really? You don't get it either. See my reply #104.	Avalux	Sep 2014	#107
You're right. I don't get it. I don't see what your being a medical profesional	kcr	Sep 2014	#108
What do you think should have happened here?	Avalux	Sep 2014	#111
Since when do people who break laws automatically go to jail every time?	kcr	Sep 2014	#114
From an emotional standpoint, I understand what you're saying.	Avalux	Sep 2014	#118
You are being extremely patient.	Feral Child	Sep 2014	#124
I say the opposite	kcr	Sep 2014	#127
Privilege?	Feral Child	Sep 2014	#145
Yes. Privilege.	kcr	Sep 2014	#160
Abortions must be performed by physicians	kcr	Sep 2014	#126
Supporting medical procedure and drug safety laws is pro-choice.	Avalux	Sep 2014	#132
I don't get how concern for patient safety equals throw them in jail	kcr	Sep 2014	#133
Was the patient thrown in jail? n/t	Avalux	Sep 2014	#135
Um, her mother was n/t	kcr	Sep 2014	#136
Use your critical thinking skills here, please.	Avalux	Sep 2014	#139
Use some empathy skills, please. I know you have them.	kcr	Sep 2014	#140
I'm sorry this topic is too emotional for you. I won't try to reason with you anymore. n/t	Avalux	Sep 2014	#142
This topic is not too emotional for me	kcr	Sep 2014	#159
+1 nt	Live and Learn	Sep 2014	#170
I think she was more than 9 weeks along	Freddie	Sep 2014	#92
She probably would have been.	Avalux	Sep 2014	#109
I thought RU485 wouldn't work after 7 weeks gestation?	HockeyMom	Sep 2014	#131
Yes or no,	Feral Child	Sep 2014	#146
lack of money, commonly known as poverty, strikes again	Fred Drum	Sep 2014	#34
and why didn't the mother take her daughter to Planned Parenthood in Pennsylvania. They do have	still_one	Sep 2014	#38
per the article, the nearest clinic was 74 miles away	magical thyme	Sep 2014	#93
just... wtf!	handmade34	Sep 2014	#39
Now this is overreaching big gov'ment.	SoapBox	Sep 2014	#42
So giving a prescribed medicine that needs to be under a doctor's supervision to minor is overreach?	still_one	Sep 2014	#46
So what are women who live in areas that don't have Planned Parenthood clinics supposed to do?	beam me up scottie	Sep 2014	#58
Pennsylvania has planned parenthood in multiple locations throughout the state, so there is no next	still_one	Sep 2014	#60
I'm referring to states that don't have them at all.	beam me up scottie	Sep 2014	#62
I removed that analogy before you told me. The focus of my comment was this situation, in a blue	still_one	Sep 2014	#63
It isn't hypothetical, there were no clinics within a day's drive of where I lived.	beam me up scottie	Sep 2014	#67
Where do you live that is that remote? Antarctica?	cstanleytech	Sep 2014	#70
I was only referring to this thread in my comments. I realize what is happening in the red states,	still_one	Sep 2014	#77
Thank you for your informative post, I wish everyone would take a minute to educate themselves	beam me up scottie	Sep 2014	#84
You are correct. Rachel Maddow on MSNBC is one of the few people who expose what has been and is	still_one	Sep 2014	#91
From Naral: "82 percent of Pennsylvania counties have no abortion provider"	suffragette	Sep 2014	#154
The legal system in this country is absolutely insane..	raindaddy	Sep 2014	#55
Don't be a one issue voter they said, they'll never take away your right to choose they said...	beam me up scottie	Sep 2014	#56
Ms. Whalen is lucky her daughter didn't die.	NaturalHigh	Sep 2014	#61
A Coathanger In A Bottle	DallasNE	Sep 2014	#64
"Desperate people do desperate things."	beam me up scottie	Sep 2014	#68
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes	marym625	Sep 2014	#97
This is truly horrific.A nightmare straight	sufrommich	Sep 2014	#105
Guess its good to be an abortion doc in Pennsylvania.	Trillo	Sep 2014	#106
Handing out pills from the Internet is never a good idea...	Oktober	Sep 2014	#116
The USA has criminalized being poor - if she spends 1 day in jail...	whereisjustice	Sep 2014	#128
And she's lost her job and any other job in her field.	xmas74	Sep 2014	#129
I'm sure that everyone who agrees with this decision are the same people who say they oppose	world wide wally	Sep 2014	#141
I agree w/ the decision	Feral Child	Sep 2014	#147
I think you missed my point. It was said with sarcasm, and I pretty much agree with what you said,	world wide wally	Sep 2014	#152
Apologies.	Feral Child	Sep 2014	#157
None needed	world wide wally	Sep 2014	#158
Putting parents in prison = republican family values n/t	krispos42	Sep 2014	#149
The idiocy of people against abortion coupled with their stupidity about birth control is causing	gtar100	Sep 2014	#150
THIS is the crazy-right wing's plan to take care of our wives and daughters	PatrickforO	Sep 2014	#155
The inseminator?	tooeyeten	Sep 2014	#163
Wth?!?	Gelliebeans	Sep 2014	#165
I don't know who knows but I will say it; there are 2 pills given in this procedure.	Quayblue	Sep 2014	#169
how did the law find out? n/t	EC	Sep 2014	#171

Response to WillyT (Original post)

Sat Sep 6, 2014, 07:28 PM

RKP5637 (64,489 posts)

Pennsylvania Mother Who Gave Daughter Abortion Pill Gets Prison - Reuters/HuffPo

1. Yet another WTF! n/t

103. I think I'm up to about three a day.

130. Me too.

2. Oh for crying out loud, this is insane and so wrong.

164. It is insane

3. Meanwhile a cop who killed not only walks free, has money to support his defense.

95. Just makes me want to cry. eom

4. WTF?

5. And so it starts...

18. Seems like society has been moving

20. That's a cognitive distortion.

113. Since Reagan's first election, it just took a bit of time to be visible. nt

76. So it CONTINUES.

151. When everybody on this thread SCREAMS E N O U G H maybe we will actually

6. How did the authorities even know about this? Did something happen to the daughter

7. The daughter had severe cramping and bleeding after taking the prescription only abortifacient and

10. This nurse agrees with you.

53. I think all abortions...

86. Because it's not necessary and would cost much more money.

112. The death penalty should be done in hospitals as well

115. I would suspect that most medical personnel don't believe in the death penalty.

148. But if they had had med people at that execution in AZ he might have lived!!!

167. Sounds plausible...

168. Just like we require all colonoscopies be done in a hospital,

14. You say "There is good medical reasons to have such drugs supervised by a physician."...

23. According to google maps the nearest planned parenthood center is only an hours drive

85. Yes thank dog for google, how else would we be so well informed about women's issues.

87. That's four hours total driving, brcause of PA's stupid laws

98. Where is the one that is 4 hours away? I found one that was a 1 hour drive one way.

117. One hour each way.

134. Well thats just silly. nt

121. Does that PP actually offer abortion services?

122. correction: "because of the actions of religious nutbags" I'm sure that's what you meant.

137. Yes, I'm sure it was.

50. Incorrect information was given her. There are Planned Parenthood clinics throughout Pennsylvania,

28. That's not a reason to send the mother to jail for 18 months

33. Absolutely. This is NOT the morning after pill, and not utilizing a doctor is child endangerment. A

43. The entire article which for some reason neglects to mention the

48. Agreed. This is NOT the morning after pill

72. I know it's not the morning after pill. I don't care.

79. The sentence is bullshit, but most likely unintentionally the mother put her child's life at risk.

80. I'm not disputing that it was a dangerous thing to do

81. I know you are not. That is why elections have consequences, and the next president through the SC

82. I agree

101. "The sentence is bullshit" OH I agree 100% with you there.

88. The powerful drug is given in pill form, so it's a pill.

90. Seriously, wtf?

94. As a Pllanned Parenthood patient escort volunter,

138. There's more than one.

144. abortifacient is a term used in herbology. It refers to something that induces miscarriage.

166. I would tend to agree but it appears

66. Agreed. This story is a whole lot of "but on the other hand"

96. except in some places it's available otc

102. That's not the pill being discussed.

110. I realize it's not the morning after pill

8. Two glaring points stick out

27. Hmmm I kinda doubt there is a large demand for an abortion clinic

49. Actually Pennsylvania has planned parenthood. The drug she gave her daughter is a serious drug that

153. Pennsylvania is a large state geographically

162. don't know

9. This country is insane.

35. not necessarily. It is about not doing this under a doctor's supervision. This medication induces

44. Induced miscarriages are not to be administered by your mother.....the whole article is click bait.

47. I didn't click the link, but I agree with you

11. How terribly sad- and it makes me furious!

12. She got prison because she waited two weeks to take the kid to a hospital

15. According to the article...

17. You are conflating her conviction with her sentencing. nt

24. She was sentenced for something other than what she was convicted for?

100. No. But when you are sentenced, the judge can and will take into account

83. I'm not conflating anything...

99. Indeed...her actions before and after regarding her daughter definitely

36. This pill should have been given under a doctor's supervision. It can cause major hemorrhaging.

156. Where did you get the 'two weeks' info?

161. I'm a criminal defense attorney here in PA.

13. It's a good thing abortions are legal

16. If the state is acting as the protector of the family

45. How are they denying them their rights?

51. Planned Parenthood would have been the best course for them to pursue