Kate Cox, the plaintiff in a high-profile legal challenge to Texas’ abortion laws, made a shocking announcement on Monday. She has decided to leave the state to terminate her pregnancy due to the restrictive laws in Texas.
Cox required a court order to terminate her pregnancy in Texas after discovering that her fetus had a rare disorder that made survival impossible. The state district court initially granted her request, but the Texas Supreme Court ultimately ruled against her on Monday, overturning the order.
While waiting for a decision from the state Supreme Court, Cox found her pregnancy too risky and sought an out-of-state abortion, as Texas currently has very restrictive abortion laws.
According to Texas law, it is a felony to perform an abortion from the moment of fertilization. Additionally, since September 2021, private citizens are authorized to file civil suits against anyone who provides or abets an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.
Due to the complexity of Texas’ abortion laws, even those who assisted Cox in getting out of Texas could potentially face legal action.
Though the situation is unique, Cox’s legal representatives maintain that SB 8 does not apply to her case, as it only covers abortions within the state of Texas, not those obtained in other states.
While the legal implications are uncertain due to the lack of precedent, Cox’s case has drawn significant attention and may attract others interested in filing similar lawsuits under SB 8.
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