Parentless teen denied abortion after court ruled she's not 'mature' enough to get one

A 16-year-old girl has been deemed not 'mature' enough to have an abortion by a Florida court.

The decision was made on Monday (16 August) at a hearing when it was ruled the girl 'had not established by clear and convincing evidence that she was sufficiently mature to decide whether to terminate her pregnancy.'

The teenager could not get an abortion by her own choice because there is a Florida law that prevents minors from having the procedure without parental permission.

The girl was described as 'parentless' and 'lives with a relative but has an appointed guardian', who 'is fine with what [she] wants to do.'

However, the permission of a guardian was not enough to enable her to terminate her pregnancy because they did not make their feelings known in writing.

Alamy/Robert K. Chin

The ruling states that the teenager 'inexplicably' waived her right to an attorney, and she was therefore accompanied by a case worker and child advocate at the court.

A transcript showed that Circuit Judge Jennifer J. Frydrychowicz described the 16-year-old as 'credible', 'open', and 'non-evasive', and 'showed, at times, that she is stable and mature enough to make this decision'.

However, she ultimately thought that the teen wasn't mature enough to decide for herself, but described the decision as 'as a very close call' and said it could be reviewed at 'a later date'.

"[The teen] had done Google searches and reviewed a pamphlet (that she and a family member got from their visit to a medical clinic) to gain an understanding about her medical options and their consequences," the ruling said.

"The trial court noted that the minor acknowledges she is not ready for the emotional, physical, or financial responsibility of raising a child' and 'has valid concerns about her ability to raise a child.'"

Brandi Lyon Photography/Alamy Stock Photo

The Escambia County Circuit Court said that it wanted to give the teen more time to think about the consequences of having an abortion.

However, as she is around 10 weeks pregnant and abortion is illegal in Florida after 15 weeks, the amount of time available is very limited.

The Guttmacher Institute reports that there are 36 states which require a minor to have the permission of both their parents before they can have an abortion.

This policy has been widely criticised because of the potential dangers it could present for the pregnant person.

Advocates for Youth said that a fifth of pregnant minors 'have experienced physical abuse by a parent or other caretaker', and 30 percent of pregnant teens who kept their situation a secret said they did so because they 'feared violence or being forced to leave home'.

For help, support and advice about abortion, contact the National Abortion Federation on 1-800-772-9100, EST 8am-7pm EST Monday to Friday or EST 8am-4pm EST Saturday to Sunday. 

Topics: Sex and Relationships

Emma Guinness

@guinness_emma