Wichita, KS — A coalition of pro-life groups gathered at a sunset memorial service for 19-year old Christin A. Gilbert on the 1-year anniversary of her death from a botched third-trimester abortion procured at George Tiller’s Women’s Health Care Services last year.
Amid memorial wreaths, photographs of her life, and the flicker of candles, pro-lifers remembered Christin as a vibrant and loving Down Syndrome teenager who was active in the Special Olympics, her championship high school girls soft-ball team, and other community activities.
The service, held outside Wesley Medical Center where Christin died, was highlighted by Scripture readings, prayers, and hymns, as well as comments by Troy Newman of Operation Rescue and David Gittrich of Kansans for Life.
Christin tragically died on January 13, 2005, from complications from a third-trimester abortion administered by the infamous late-term abortionist George R. Tiller. Pro-lifers from the Kansas Coalition for Life reported an ambulance arrival at the abortion mill and photographed the incident while Operation Rescue Staff members raced to Wesley Medical Center in time to document Christin’s arrival by ambulance as well as the arrival of abortionist Tiller. OR investigators later discovered her identity, details about her life and death, and were the first to obtain her autopsy report that implicated Tiller in her death.
In November, the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts dismissed a complaint against Tiller, finding that he did not violate the “standard of care” contrary to autopsy findings and the callous evasiveness documented in the 911 emergency call that summoned an ambulance to the abortion mill. Tiller employee Marguerite Reed had requested “no lights and no sirens” in spite of the fact that Christin’s condition was “Code Blue.”
KSBHA Director Larry Buening told reporters that the official autopsy report released by the Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center was merely one “opinion.” Pro-life groups suspected a cover-up involving Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and the KSBHA, who are beholden to large campaign contributions made to Sebelius by Tiller.
A confidential source close to the Gilbert family has informed Operation Rescue that, because of the severity of her Down Syndrome condition, Christin could never have consented to sexual activity and certainly would never have chosen abortion for her baby, evidence that Christin was the victim of a forced abortion.
“Christin was an innocent victim in every sense,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “She did not choose to be sexually abused, she did not choose to become pregnant, and once with child, she did not choose abortion. These things were forced upon Christin. Those entrusted with her care betrayed her and she died. We cannot let her tragedy be swept under the rug as if her life and the life of her baby were meaningless. It is our duty to continue to seek justice for Christin and her pre-born child.”
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