An abortion rights activist holds a sign at a protest in support of abortion access on July 13, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (John Parra/Getty Images for MoveOn) INDIANAPOLIS - The lawyer for an Indiana doctor at the center of a political firestorm after speaking out about a 10-year-old child abuse victim who traveled from Ohio for an abortion said Thursday that her client provided proper treatment and did not violate any patient privacy laws in discussing the unidentified girl's case.Attorney Kathleen DeLaney issued the statement on behalf of Indianapolis obstetrician-gynecologist Caitlin Bernard the same day Republican Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said his office was investigating Bernard's actions.
He offered no specific allegations of wrongdoing.A 27-year-old man was charged in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday with raping the girl, confirming the existence of a case initially met with skepticism by some media outlets and Republican politicians.RELATED: 10-year-old rape victim in Ohio reportedly denied abortion, travels to Indiana for procedureThe pushback grew after Democratic President Joe Biden expressed empathy for the girl during the signing of an executive order last week aimed at protecting some abortion access in the wake of the U.S.
Supreme Court’s ruling overturning the constitutional protection for abortion.Bernard's attorney said the physician "took every appropriate and proper action in accordance with the law and both her medical and ethical training as a physician.""She followed all relevant policies, procedures, and regulations in this case, just as she does every day to provide the best possible care for her patients," DeLaney said in a statement.