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Kate Cox/AFP Distribution
Kate Cox, a 31-year-old mother of two from Dallas-Fort Worth, sued the state of Texas on December 5, 2023, to provide an abortion for a pregnancy she claimed she and her children doctor who endangers his life and future. .
CNN
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The Texas Supreme Court has temporarily barred a pregnant woman from receiving an emergency abortion in a decision handed down late Friday.
The court overturned a lower court decision that would have allowed Kate Cox, who sued the state seek a court order of abortion, to obtain the procedure. “Regardless of the merits, the jurisdiction of the Court remains in the order of the district court on December 7, 2023,” said the order.
The court said that the case will remain before them but does not include a time frame for when a full decision can be issued. Cox is 20 weeks pregnant. Her unborn baby was diagnosed with a genetic disorder and she said complications with her pregnancy put her health at risk.
After the verdict, Cox’s attorney said they still hope to quickly dismiss the state’s appeal. “We are talking about emergency treatment. Kate is 20 weeks pregnant,” said Molly Duane, an attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights. “This is why people shouldn’t beg for health care in court. .”
The decision came a few hours after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asked the Supreme Court to intervene in the case.
Paxton’s appeal stems from a Texas judge’s decision last Thursday to grant a 14-day stay against the state’s abortion ban. , so that Cox could legally terminate her pregnancy.
The decision marked an important point in the ongoing debate on the medical status of the state in its debate on the prohibition of abortion after six weeks – one of the most serious in the country.
In a petition to the state Supreme Court, Paxton – who has threatened prosecution against anyone who helps facilitate abortion – asked for an emergency stay of the judge’s decision. district court.
In a letter to the three hospitals in Houston where, according to the Texas Medical Board, Cox’s doctor has access, Paxton Cox wrote that he failed to show that he had a disease ” danger of life” related to her pregnancy or her symptoms that put her “at risk of death” or serious bodily injury.
The attorney general also warned that Thursday’s decision “will not prevent you, or anyone else, from civil and criminal liability,” including first-degree felony charges and civil penalties of not less than $100,000 for each violation.
Cox sought an emergency abortion after learning that her unborn baby had trisomy 18, a genetic disorder, and was not expected to live beyond a few days. the stomach, according to the suit.
Cox, 31, has been to three emergency rooms in the past month for severe dehydration and dehydration, according to her suit. She has had two previous caesarean sections – C-sections – and, the suit says, “continuing the pregnancy puts her at a higher risk for serious complications that threaten her life and future fertility, e.g. including uterine rupture and hysterectomy.”
Before the state Supreme Court considered it, attorneys for Cox and the Center for Reproductive Rights, an abortion rights group that represents Cox, said Paxton’s request to stop his proceedings was “frivolous” and showed “disregard for the life of Ms. Cox, fruit,” and the rule of law.”
“The State says that it alone has the power to value Ms. Cox is currently larger than life Ms. Cox himself and the life of the children in the future that he and his wife hope to have, regardless of the wishes of Ms. Cox for his family and his wife. the good advice of his medical team,” they answered.
The response states that the plaintiffs agree that the state Supreme Court should take urgent action, “specifically, to remind the Attorney General that he is not outside the scope of the existing laws.” he becomes an official, and he must follow the orders of the court. Just like the citizens he intends to serve.”
The filing also asks the state Supreme Court to reject Paxton’s threat to prosecute doctors and anyone who helps facilitate abortion.
Molly Duane, Cox’s attorney, would not say Thursday when or where Cox would have the abortion but said they plan to help her get care “as quickly as possible.” ” it is possible.
This article has been updated with additional information.