The Indiana attorney general is prosecuting an obstetrician-gynecologist for violating patient privacy and mandatory reporting laws in the case of a 10-year-old rape victim, the Indianapolis Star reported May 24.
Catilin Bernard, MD, performed an abortion on the Ohio child who had traveled to Indianapolis for the procedure. The Star reported the case in a July 1 article in which Dr. Bernard shared information about the girl, including her age and state of residence. The suspect in the girl's rape was arrested by Ohio authorities in July, according to the report.
The attorney's office said in its complaint to the board that Dr. Bernard violated privacy laws by sharing that information and that she failed to immediately report the abuse to Indiana authorities. It asked the board to give appropriate disciplinary action.
Dr. Benard's employer, Indianapolis-based IU Health, said it conducted an investigation and found she complied with privacy laws. Dr. Bernard also said she alerted the Indiana Department of Child Services within the three-day limit set by law and said the crimes had already been reported to Ohio authorities.
The Indiana board, made up of six physicians and one attorney, all appointed by the governor, will vote after a hearing that is expected to include hours of testimony, the report said.