NEW YORK — Kelly Shannon was excited when she found out she was pregnant. With a daughter under the age of 2, Shannon and her husband had been actively trying for a second child.
The Alabama couple's happiness quickly turned to heartbreak when testing revealed just three days before Christmas there was an 87% chance the baby had Down syndrome.
While none of the baby's conditions on its own would warrant a termination under the guidelines of the one hospital in the state still providing abortions, Shannon's specialist strongly believed this combination of symptoms made it extremely unlikely the pregnancy would survive to term or through labor and delivery. Her physician believed the hospital would be able to provide her with abortion care despite Alabama law prohibiting abortions at all stages of pregnancy.
These are the same options Shannon's specialist in Alabama gave her, according to physician reports shared with ABC News. On Jan. 20, Shannon's specialist called her and informed her that while one committee had approved the abortion, a higher-level committee denied permission, telling Shannon this was the hardest phone call she had to make in her professional career, Shannon said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Harris faces new test of political skills in 2024 campaign - New York Amsterdam NewsAfter two years of tightly scripted, uneven performances that often dismayed Democrats and cheered Republicans, Harris is looser, more forceful and more willing to speak off the cuff following her trip to Africa a month ago.
Read more »
New York City's new tool to stop car thefts: Apple AirTagsWith car thefts soaring to a 16-year high, the city is distributing 500 of the devices 'to take a bad guy off the streets,' NYPD says.
Read more »
'The Real Housewives of New York City' Returns: See the New TeaserThe Housewives are back to take a bite out of the Big Apple.
Read more »
'Real Housewives of New York City' is returning this summer with an all-new castThe “RHONY” reboot features six new cast members: Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Dana Lichy, Jessel Taank, Brynn Whitfield and Jenna Lyons.
Read more »
The Questioning Puzzle5-Down, Eight Letters: Show that gave us New New York.
Read more »
New SoHo Timberland store offers on-site customization, sustainability options and more | amNewYorkTimberland is making its mark on New York City with a new store in SoHo.
Read more »