New York Doctor Charged with Prescribing Abortion Pill to Louisiana Patient
In Louisiana, abortion is largely prohibited, with limited exceptions for situations that pose a significant risk to the mother’s life or confirm a fatal fetal anomaly.
A grand jury in Louisiana indicted a New York doctor on January 31 for allegedly prescribing an abortion pill to a minor online in a state where abortion is nearly entirely illegal.
Dr. Margaret Carpenter, along with her practice Nightingale Medical, PC, and the teenager’s mother—whose name has not been disclosed—were charged with criminal abortion involving abortion-inducing medications by a West Baton Rouge Parish grand jury, according to several reports. The teen’s name and age also remain undisclosed.
This case represents the first time a physician has been criminally charged for prescribing and mailing abortion medication to a resident outside their professional jurisdiction.
Carpenter is accused of providing the abortion pill to Louisiana at the request of the teenager’s mother, who reached out to her through the internet. Specifics about the duration of the teenager’s pregnancy are still unclear.
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Governor Hochul expressed, “Indeed, a doctor is facing prosecution for rendering essential healthcare to her patient. It’s increasingly important for states to champion reproductive rights—and I will not shy away from this battle.”
“I have reiterated that we will hold individuals accountable for violating the law,” the attorney general remarked.
The Epoch Times attempted to contact Carpenter for a statement but did not receive a response before publication.
This law makes it illegal to possess mifepristone and misoprostol without a valid prescription, categorizing them as Schedule IV substances under the state’s Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Law. Violations could lead to significant fines and imprisonment.
“The Louisiana case against a licensed New York physician is the most recent in a series of attacks threatening women’s access to reproductive healthcare nationwide,” the statement read. “This government-sponsored effort to prosecute a doctor delivering safe and effective care should concern everyone.”
Paxton claimed that the physician supplied illegal abortion medications via telemedicine, which “terminated the life of an unborn child and caused serious complications for the mother, who subsequently needed medical assistance.” The attorney general sought a court injunction to prevent the doctor from further violations and imposed a fine of $100,000 for each infraction.
By 2023, pills had become the predominant method of abortion in the U.S., accounting for nearly two-thirds of all abortions, and are central to ongoing political and legal disputes. Recently, a judge allowed three states to continue challenging federal approvals related to prescribing one of the commonly used drugs.
Contributions to this report were made by Tom Ozimek, Matt McGregor, and The Associated Press.
