Story of Ohio 10-year-old rape victim who had abortion in Indiana explodes on social media

Joe Castle, The Columbus Dispatch
·5 min read
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The story of a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio who traveled to Indiana for an abortion has exploded on social media, prompting reactions and stoking an already fiery online debate further after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Since the Indianapolis Star, a Gannett sister publication of The Dispatch, first reported two weeks ago that the girl went to Indiana for the procedure after most abortion services became illegal in Ohio, the case has become a dominant topic on Twitter. The account in the Star’s initial reporting was attributed to Dr. Caitlin Bernard, an Indianapolis physician who has since spoken out about the case.

Some early reactions to the case, however, were modified — or deleted — after the arrest of Gerson Fuentes, 27, whose last known address was on Columbus' Northwest Side. Police say Fuentes confessed to raping the child on at least two occasions.

What we know: 10-year-old travels to Indiana for abortion and Columbus man arrested

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Post Roe v. Wade: Patients head to Indiana for abortion services as other states restrict care

Ohio's 'heartbeat bill': State bans abortions after six weeks; here's what you need to know

10-year-old's case a flashpoint in wake of Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling

After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, people on both sides of the abortion debate clashed on social media over the previously precedent-setting “law of the land.” But the case of the 10-year-old from Ohio captured the moment like few others could.

Ohio AG Dave Yost cast doubt on story on Fox News before arrest

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost appeared on Fox News questioning Dr. Caitlin Bernard's story that a 10-year-old Ohio rape victim needed to travel to Indiana for an abortion.

"I'm not saying it could not have happened,” Yost said on Fox News. “What I'm saying to you is there is not a damn scintilla of evidence. And shame on the Indianapolis paper that ran this thing on a single source who has an obvious axe to grind."

After news broke Wednesday of an arrest in the case, Yost issued a statement following news of a suspect’s arrest Wednesday: "We rejoice anytime a child rapist is taken off the streets."

US Rep. Jim Jordan called case ‘another lie’ before deleting tweet

Indiana doctor responds on Twitter after her role in viral story

Joe Castle is a producer with the USA Today Network. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeCastleNSH.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Twitter reacts to case of Ohio 10-year-old who had abortion in Indiana