Abortion Clinic Undercover Video Controversy
MILWAUKEE - There is controversy over a newly released undercover video taken inside Planned Parenthood's Milwaukee clinic. The clinic, located in the Third Ward, provides abortions and other services.
The video was released by pro-life advocacy group Live Action. In the tape, Live Action founder Lila Rose pretends to be a 14-year-old girl and tells a clinic worker her 31-year-old boyfriend got her pregnant. At one point, a Planned Parenthood clinic worker appears to tell the girl that the sexual relationship may or may not get reported to police depending on who the girl tells. The worker also asks the girl whether her boyfriend will pay for the abortion and asks whether the girl consented to having sex.
According to Live Action, the tape is evidence that Planned Parenthood did not comply with mandatory reporting laws in a case of statutory rape. The tape is similar to others that Live Action has released in other locations.
However, Planned Parenthood Wisconsin's president and C.E.O. said the case could not be reported to police because Rose would not disclose her name or any identifying information when she went to the clinic. "We did not have the name of the young woman. She did not give it to us. She did not provide any ID. So we were unable to make any report," said Teri Huyck.
The video released Tuesday is a short edited portion of a much longer tape recorded in June of 2008. Planned Parenthood said they would like to see a full and unedited recording of the exchange.
Lila Rose said the full recording will be released publicly after it is turned over the Wisconsin law enforcement. "We have full footage that we are sending to the attorney general and the district attorney that will be released to the public," she said.
A spokesman from the Milwaukee County District Attorney's office said investigators are looking at the case in conjunction with Milwaukee Police. "We need to gather more specific information about this matter before we can begin to assess whether it rises to the level of criminal conduct," wrote Chief Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern in an e-mail.
Prolife Wisconsin weighed in Tuesday and accused Planned Parenthood of a pattern of concealing statutory rape. "The counselor was still advising the girl how to get around covering up an instance of statutory rape. And for a 14-year-old girl to be pregnant, that's a serious issue."
Several other pro-choice groups, including the National Organization for Women, declined to comment on the controversy.

















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