Today's News & Views
February 9, 2009
 
Abortionist's License Revoked in Case Involving
Death of Baby Born Alive after Abortion

Part One of Two

By Liz Townsend

Editor's note. Part Two is a composite TN&V covering many topics. Please send your comments on both parts to daveandrusko@gmail.com.

The Florida Board of Medicine has revoked the license of abortionist Pierre Jean-Jacque Renelique, upholding Department of Health allegations that he "falsified medical records, inappropriately delegated tasks to unlicensed personnel and committed malpractice," according to CNN. The baby's mother, Sycloria Williams, "planned to have an abortion but instead gave birth to a baby she says was killed when clinic staffers put it into a plastic bag and threw it in the trash," CNN reported.

Williams has sued Renelique, the clinic and its staff , seeking damages. She alleges in her suit that "she witnessed the murder of her daughter" and said she "sustained severe emotional distress, shock and psychic trauma which have resulted in discernible bodily injury."

Baby Shanice Denise Osbourne died July 20, 2006, one day after Renelique gave the 18-year-old Williams drugs to begin aborting her 23-week-old unborn baby, according to the AP. Renelique reportedly was going to complete the abortion--kill the baby in utero--at A Gyn abortion clinic in Hialeah the next day.

However, the abortionist did not arrive at the clinic when scheduled, and Williams went into labor and delivered the baby, according to the AP. Renelique was still not present when Williams "felt a large pain" and delivered a baby girl, according to the suit. "The staff began screaming and pandemonium ensued," the suit alleges. "Sycloria watched in horror and shock as her baby writhed with her chest rising and falling as she breathed."

The suit further alleges that a clinic co-owner entered the room and used a pair of shears to cut the baby's umbilical cord. She "then scooped up the baby and placed the live baby, placenta and afterbirth in a red plastic biohazard bag, which she sealed, and then threw bag and the baby in a trash can."

CNN reports that the suit also alleges that "staff at the clinic did not call 911 or seek medical assistance for Williams or the baby." Renelique arrived at the clinic about an hour later and gave Williams a shot to put her to sleep. "She awoke after the procedure and was sent home still in complete shock," the suit alleges.

Williams "was awake for all that horror," her attorney Tom Pennekamp Jr. told Florida Catholic. "To see your baby gasping for air and just scooped into a bag like that is horrifying."

Acting on an anonymous tip, Hialeah police discovered Shanice's body in a biohazard container July 28. They found the baby in a second search of the facility, finding nothing the first time, leading to suspicions that clinic staff tampered with evidence, according to CBS4 News.

An autopsy by the Dade County Medical Examiner revealed that Shanice had taken air into her lungs after birth, and determined she died of "extreme prematurity," the AP reported.

Publicity from the discovery of Shanice's body led to charges in 2007 against Gonzalez, Senises, and other clinic employees for performing abortions and dispensing medicine without licenses at the A GYN abortion mills in Miramar and Hialeah, according to the Miami Herald. Gonzalez and Senises both pled no contest to the charges in December 2007 and September 2008, respectively, and received probation, according to Williams's complaint. However, the complaint alleges, Gonzalez and Senises continue to operate abortion clinics in Florida with ownership under Gonzalez's daughter's name.

"Virtually everyone who handled Sycloria and Shanice didn't have a medical license," Pennekamp told Florida Catholic. "I can't even find a name for people who do this kind of thing. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time nor the last time something like this has happened."

Part Two -- Obama, Stem Cells, Mexico City, and More