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Rokita files licensing complaint against abortion provider

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is engaged in a legal battle on multiple fronts against Dr. Caitlin Bernard.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is engaged in a legal battle on multiple fronts against Dr. Caitlin Bernard.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita officially filed a complaint against Dr. Caitlin Bernard Wednesday with the Indiana Medical Licensing Board.

The complaint stems from Bernard providing abortion care to a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio.

Records show that Bernard filed the proper paperwork with the state after providing an abortion to a 10-year-old girl. And  evidence in court revealed that Bernard alerted law enforcement in Ohio about the situation even before she first saw the patient and that she contacted the Indiana Department of Child Services after the abortion.

But the complaint sent to the medical licensing board by Rokita said Bernard violated the patient’s privacy rights. And it claimed she failed to “immediately” report to DCS or local law enforcement in Indianapolis.

State law doesn’t define “immediate” when it comes to reporting child abuse.

READ MORE: IU Health: Dr. Bernard complied with patient privacy laws regarding 10-year-old’s abortion

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In a statement, Bernard’s attorney said Rokita is ignoring evidence and “doubling down” on frivolous complaints because he disagrees with Bernard about abortion rights.

Bernard and fellow physician Dr. Amy Caldwell  previously sued Rokita, seeking to halt his investigation, alleging harassment.

Contact reporter Brandon at  bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at  @brandonjsmith5.

Brandon J. Smith has previously worked as a reporter and anchor for KBIA Radio in Columbia, MO. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, IL as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.