Current:Home > InvestOhio man sentenced to life in prison for rape of 10-year-old girl who traveled to Indiana for abortion-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Ohio man sentenced to life in prison for rape of 10-year-old girl who traveled to Indiana for abortion
View Date:2025-01-09 21:36:17
An Ohio man was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for raping a 10-year-old girl who then had to travel to Indiana for an abortion in a case that drew national attention when the obstetrician-gynecologist who provided the procedure spoke about it with a journalist.
Gerson Fuentes, 28, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. However, his plea deal states he can file for parole after 25 years, according to court documents. If parole is granted, Fuentes, who is from Guatemala and was living in Columbus, Ohio, would have to register as a sex offender.
Common Pleas Court Judge Julie Lynch called the plea deal a "very hard pill for this court to swallow," The Associated Press reported. Lynch said the victim's family asked the judge to back the deal.
The girl was 9 years old when she was assaulted by Fuentes. Columbus police learned about the girl's pregnancy through a referral to the Franklin County Children Services that was made by her mother. Shortly after her 10th birthday, the girl traveled to Indiana to get an abortion. Prosecutors said DNA testing of the aborted fetus confirmed Fuentes was the father.
The girl couldn't get the procedure in Ohio under a newly imposed state ban on abortions at the first detectable "fetal heartbeat," which went into full effect after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
The girl's doctor, Dr. Caitlin Bernard, told a journalist at the Indianapolis Star she was contacted by a child abuse doctor in Ohio to arrange for the procedure in Indiana. Attorney General Todd Rokita filed a complaint against the doctor for speaking about the procedure and violating medical privacy laws.
Bernard said she raised the issue to alert Indiana residents to the realities of pregnancy termination care if the state passed strict abortion bans. During a hearing, Bernard said she used a real-life example because a hypothetical case wouldn't have the same impact on readers. She said she notified Indiana hospital social workers about the abuse, and the girl's case was already being investigated by Ohio authorities. The doctor's attorneys said she didn't release any identifying information about the patient.
Indiana's medical licensing board issued Bernard $3,000 in fines and a letter of reprimand but didn't suspend her license.
On June 30, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled the state's near-total abortion ban can take effect. The legislation — among the strictest in the nation — bans abortion except in cases of rape, incest, and to protect the life and physical health of the mother.
The Associated Press and Melissa Quinn contributed reporting
- In:
- Indiana
- Abortion
- Ohio
Cara Tabachnick is a news editor for CBSNews.com. Contact her at [email protected]
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Rachael Ray Details Getting Bashed Over Decision to Not Have Kids
- MLB playoff field almost set as Mets and Braves will determine two NL wild-card spots
- Climate Impacts Put Insurance Commissioner Races in the Spotlight
- Helene flooding is 'catastrophic natural disaster' in Western NC
- Cameron Brink set to make Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut
- Yankees' Anthony Rizzo fractures fingers in season's penultimate game
- Sophie Turner Addresses Comments About Being a Single Mother After She Was “Widely Misquoted”
- Death of Stanford goalie Katie Meyer in 2022 leads to new law in California
- Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid Enjoy a Broadway Date Night and All that Jazz
- The final day for the Oakland Athletics arrives ahead of next season’s move away from the Bay
Ranking
- Powell says Fed will likely cut rates cautiously given persistent inflation pressures
- Mega Millions winning numbers for September 27 drawing; jackpot at $93 million
- Minnesota football's Daniel Jackson makes 'Catch of the Year' for touchdown vs Michigan late
- Opinion: Atlanta Falcons have found their identity in nerve-wracking finishes
- College Football Playoff bracket: Complete playoff picture after latest rankings
- Angelina Jolie and 3 of Her Kids Make Rare Red Carpet Appearance at New York Film Festival
- What to watch as JD Vance and Tim Walz meet for a vice presidential debate
- Liver cleanses claim they have detoxifying benefits. Are they safe?
Recommendation
-
John Robinson, successful football coach at USC and with the LA Rams, has died at 89
-
Jordan Love injury update: Packers will start veteran quarterback in Week 4 vs. Vikings
-
Texas edges Alabama as new No. 1 in US LBM Coaches Poll after Crimson Tide's defeat of Georgia
-
University imposes a one-year suspension on law professor over comments on race
-
The ancient practice of tai chi is more popular than ever. Why?
-
Guardsman wanted to work for RentAHitman.com. He's now awaiting a prison sentence
-
California Cities Planned to Shut off Gas in New Buildings, but a Lawsuit Turned it Back On. Now What?
-
In Alabama, Trump goes from the dark rhetoric of his campaign to adulation of college football fans