KS Board Asked to Reopen Inquiry Into Abortion Death

KS Board of Healing Arts Asked to Reopen Inquiry Into Abortion Death

New complaint makes the case that former Board staff engaged in a politically motivated cover-up of wrong-doing in the death of Christin Gilbert

Operation Rescue is formally asking the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts to reopen its investigation into the death of Christin Gilbert (picture), a 19-year old Down's syndrome teen who died from complications to a third-trimester abortion obtained at George Tiller's Women's Health Care Services in January, 2005. The request is made based on new information that has surfaced since the Board closed the Gilbert investigation in 2005.

The complaint, filed earlier this week, names Nebraska abortionist LeRoy Carhart as the primary party responsible for Gilbert's death. Carhart is employed by Tiller and travels to Kansas every third week to do abortions.

It also alleges that the determination made by the former staff of the KSBHA clearing Tiller was politically motivated to aid in the defeat of a bill before the Legislature at that time, which would have provided regulation for Kansas' unaccountable abortion industry. The bill was opposed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who had accepted large amounts of campaign contributions from Tiller, and was politically beholden to him. Sebelius ultimately vetoed the bill, which benefitted Tiller.

The Board has since undergone a major overhaul and leadership change.
"The facts that surfaced since 2005, along with recent changes at the Board, have led us to ask that the Gilbert case be revisited," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman, who personally filed the new complaint.

A citizen-called grand jury convened in 2006 to investigate Tiller's part in Gilbert's death, but did not indict. One member of the grand jury was so disturbed by what he heard during the investigation that he came forward and told Operation Rescue shocking new information about Gilbert's death, including news that Carhart, who was supposed to be on call on the night before Christ died, did not respond to calls for help and could not be located as Christin's condition worsened. He also indicated that actions by the District Attorney's office hindered their investigation.

Since the Board closed the case, Tiller has been criminally charged for violations of the Kansas requirement that all post-viability abortions must have the signature of a second Kansas physician that is unaffiliated with the abortionist. Tiller exclusively used abortionist Ann Kristin Neuhaus as a "rubber stamp" for all late-term abortions at WHCS from at least 2003 to early 2007, even though she was legally and financially affiliated with him. Neuhaus also signed off on Gilbert's abortion, making that abortion illegal.
"We pray that the case of Christin Gilbert's tragic death will finally be given and honest and fair review, something it has not had," said Newman. "We owe it to her to seek justice."

Contact: Troy Newman and Cheryl Sullenger
Source: Operation Rescue
Source URL: http://www.operationrescue.org
Publish Date: February 5, 2009
Link to this article:
http://www.ifrl.org/ifrl/news/090205_4.htm