After two months of requests, Cook County Medical Examiner has released the autopsy report for Tonya Reaves, the 24-year-old mother who died after a second trimester abortion at a Chicago Planned Parenthood in July.
A formal public records request for Reaves’ autopsy report made in writing on July 23rd by a staff member of Operation Rescue. The request was refused. On August 3, 2012, Allison Aranda, Senior Staff Counsel for the Life Legal Defense Foundation, sent a letter to the Office of the Medical Examiner demanding the release of the autopsy report and pointing out that the Office was obligated to comply with Operation Rescue’s request under applicable law. Following this letter, the autopsy report was sent to Operation Rescue.
Staff at the South Michigan Avenue Planned Parenthood waited over 5 hours after Ms. Reaves’ abortion before calling an emergency response team to their facility. This case raises questions as to why Planned Parenthood does not have adequate medical equipment on site in case of emergencies, and why the staff waited so long to seek emergency medical services. Whether Ms. Reaves would still be alive had proper procedures been followed is a question that begs an answer.