The Chicago doctor wrote about a time when he cared for a 14-year old patient who had a botched abortion. The girl developed a severe infection since the abortion clinic had left some body parts of the aborted child inside of her. Lawler performed surgery and removed the remaining body parts, and onlooking doctors cried upon seeing Lawler remove body parts belonging to the deceased baby.
The abortion clinic never returned Lawler's calls asking for information about the botched abortion.
Lawler pointed out that the 14-year old patient he helped might have died if her mother was not made aware of the abortion.
"The Illinois Parental Notification Act is a necessary protection for minor girls," he wrote.
"Keeping the Parental Notice requirement intact in no way affects the ability of a woman in Illinois — of any age — to obtain an abortion, at any point in her pregnancy. To repeal the current law would be reckless and irresponsible. Illinois lawmakers need to understand they will be putting young girls at risk and driving a wedge between parents and children at a time when they may need them the most."
