An Indiana doctor spoke up about a 10-year-old's abortion. Here's what happened since

Jenny Porter Tilley and Johnny Magdaleno, Indianapolis Star
Updated ·5 min read
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After a historic U.S. Supreme Court decision overturned Roe v. Wade, an Indiana doctor's anecdote about a 10-year-old's abortion became central to discussions of abortion access.

Caitlin Bernard, an Indianapolis OB/GYN, shared the story of a young patient who was six weeks and three days pregnant. The girl was from Ohio, which had outlawed any abortion after six weeks, so she traveled to Indiana, where the procedure was still legal. After the story gained national attention, Attorney General Todd Rokita spoke out against Bernard on Fox News, saying his office was looking into her conduct.

Indiana abortion law: Child rape puts Indiana in national spotlight as lawmakers consider ban

Rokita's complaint, charging that the doctor violated privacy laws and failed to properly report the child's rape, was heard in May by the Indiana Medical Licensing Board. In a split decision, they found that she violated privacy law, but cleared her on the charge of failing to report abuse quickly enough.

Now, Rokita is under the microscope for alleged professional misconduct. The Indiana Supreme Court's disciplinary commission has charged him with three counts of violating professional conduct rules related to his speaking publicly about Bernard and his impending investigation.

Here's a look at what happened since the original story was published.

June 24, 2022: U.S. Supreme Court eliminates constitutional right to abortion

Demonstrators rally for abortion rights on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. The rally turned into a march around the city. There was also an anti-abortion rally held in the afternoon.
Demonstrators rally for abortion rights on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. The rally turned into a march around the city. There was also an anti-abortion rally held in the afternoon.

July 1, 2022: IndyStar story cites Caitlin Bernard's anecdote about a 10-year-old

Dr. Caitlin Bernard, a reproductive healthcare provider, speaks during an abortion rights rally Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. The rally was led by the ACLU of Indiana following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion.
Dr. Caitlin Bernard, a reproductive healthcare provider, speaks during an abortion rights rally Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. The rally was led by the ACLU of Indiana following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion.

July 7, 2022: President Joe Biden uses case as example in announcement about safeguarding abortion access

Roe v. Wade overturned: Biden announces steps to protect abortion access, but advocates urge him to do more

July 12, 2022: Ohio man arrested in rape of 10-year-old

Crime: Ohio man charged in rape of 10-year-old that led to Indiana abortion

July 13, 2022: Indiana AG Todd Rokita appears on Fox News, says he's looking into Bernard

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita speaks at the Indiana March for Life anti-abortion demonstration on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in Indianapolis. The march began on Georgia Street, passed Monument Circle and ended at the Statehouse.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita speaks at the Indiana March for Life anti-abortion demonstration on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in Indianapolis. The march began on Georgia Street, passed Monument Circle and ended at the Statehouse.

July 14, 2022: IndyStar obtains records showing Bernard disclosed the abortion to child services

Records: Caitlin Bernard reported 10-year-old Ohio girl's abortion

July 15, 2022: IU Health officials say Bernard did not violate privacy laws

Caitlin Bernard: IU Health says doctor did not violate HIPAA laws in 10-year-old's abortion

July 15, 2022: Bernard's attorney sends cease-and-desist to Rokita

Abortion case: Attorney for doctor who performed 10-year-old's abortion sends cease-and-desist

July 18, 2022: Former IU law school dean files complaint against Rokita with disciplinary commission

July 19, 2022: Bernard files claim for damages against Rokita

Tort claim: Doctor who provided abortion for Ohio girl files for damages against Todd Rokita

July 26, 2022: Attorney says Rokita's office is still investigating Bernard

Attorney: Indiana AG Todd Rokita still investigating Dr. Caitlin Bernard

July 28, 2022: Lawyer for Bernard says complaints are 'riddled with inaccuracies'

'Waste of time': Dr. Caitlin Bernard’s attorney responds to investigation notice

Sept. 14, 2022: AG's office declines to share info on complaints against Bernard

More: Indiana Attorney General Rokita's office declines to share info on Dr. Bernard complaints

Nov. 3, 2022: Bernard sues to freeze investigation of medical records

Bernard lawsuit: Indiana abortion doctor asks judge to freeze Todd Rokita's investigation of medical records

Nov. 18, 2022: Attorneys spar over patient privacy

Bernard lawsuit: AG's office, Dr. Bernard's attorneys spar over patient privacy in first hearing

Nov. 21, 2022: Bernard testifies she was harassed after Fox News interview

Bernard lawsuit: Indy doctor received 'threats'; attorneys spar in court

Nov. 30, 2022: AG asks licensing board to investigate

Abortion case: AG Rokita claims Bernard violated law, asks state Medical Licensing Board to investigate

Dec. 2, 2022: Judge says Rokita violated confidentiality, declines to block probe of Bernard

AG probe: Judge declines to block investigation

Dec. 8, 2022: Bernard drops lawsuit against Rokita

Dr. Caitlin Bernard: Indiana OB/GYN drops suit against AG Todd Rokita as abortion dispute heads to state board

Feb. 13, 2023: Rokita faces probe by state disciplinary commission

Politics: AG Todd Rokita is focus of disciplinary probe. Here's what comes next

April 12, 2023: Rokita argues case Bernard withdrew should move forward

Indiana AG: Dr. Bernard tries to dismiss lawsuit against Rokita. He wants his day in court.

April 21, 2023: Rokita drops attempt to revive 2022 lawsuit

Indiana AG: Todd Rokita drops attempt to continue Dr. Bernard's lawsuit against himself

May 25, 2023: Hearing takes place in Bernard's handling of patient information

Indiana Medical Licensing Board: AG Rokita's prosecution of abortion doctor Caitlin Bernard gets medical board hearing

May 25, 2023: Board rules Bernard violated privacy laws, clears her of charge that she failed to report abuse quickly enough

Indiana Medical Licensing Board: Indiana Dr. Caitlin Bernard violated girl's privacy in abortion case

July 29, 2023: Board issues letter of reprimand and final order, bringing to an end Rokita's administrative charges

Aug. 30, 2023: Bernard decides not to challenge the board's final decision

Indiana Medical Licensing Board: 'Proud of the stand I took': Dr. Caitlin Bernard will not fight medical board's penalty

Sept. 15, 2023: Rokita sues IU Health, accusing the provider of violating HIPAA by failing to protect the 10-year-old girl's information

Indiana AG: Rokita files lawsuit against IU Health tied to Ohio girl abortion response

Sept. 18, 2023: Indiana Supreme Court disciplinary commission files charges against Rokita alleging professional misconduct in handling of Bernard accusations

Indiana AG: Todd Rokita faces misconduct complaint for comments regarding 10-year-old rape victim

Nov. 2, 2023: Indiana Supreme Court to reprimand Rokita for statements made on FoxNews

Indiana AG: Todd Rokita to be reprimanded for comments on abortion doctor Caitlin Bernard

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Dr. Caitlin Bernard: Timeline of Indiana OB/GYN's case