FAST FACTS:
Scott.Noll@wreg.com
(Memphis 4/21/2009) An anti-abortion activist claims undercover video shows workers at the Memphis Planned Parenthood office breaking the law.
The video is the work of a California-based group called Live Action.
Now, they're asking prosecutors to file charges against Planned Parenthood, claiming workers at the Memphis office, and nationwide are not reporting cases of suspected sexual abuse as required by law.
On the video, posted on-line yesterday, the girl tells a Planned Parenthood worker she's 14 and pregnant.
She doesn't want her parents to know because her boyfriend is 31 years old.
On the heavily-edited tape, the worker first warns that the boyfriend is going to get in trouble.
Then, the worker seems to switch gears, and advises the girl to make-up a story to tell a judge in an effort to to waive Tennessee's consent requirement for an abortion.
"Just say you have a boyfriend, 17 years old or whatever," the accused worker can be heard saying.
The 14 year old in the video is really Lila Rose.
On her organization's website, Rose openly declares her goal of ending abortion.
Now she's pushing for the filing of criminal charges against Planned Parenthood.
"It has been heartbreaking to see again and again the lack of interest on the part of the staff members of Planned Parenthood in the real problem of the girl," said Rose by phone.
Planned Parenthood in Memphis refused to comment on-camera on the tape.
In a statement, a spokeswoman called the allegation "serious."
While the spokeswoman said the accuracy of the tape hasn't been verified, she says Planned Parenthood has taken swift action, and is conducting additional staff training this week.
Whether or not the tape is accurate, people on both sides of the abortion issue who watched the tape with WREG News Channel 3 say they're shocked by what they saw.
"It's kind of concerning, you know what I mean?" said Terry Winfrey. The Midtown resident who calls himself pro-choice, added, "31 year old man, 14 year old girl, that's automatic child abuse."
While Stephanie Kern says she's pro-life, she agreed with Winfrey, saying she was shocked by the clip.
"If that's what's really going on, I don't know, it's very sad," Kern said.
Planned Parenthood is requesting a copy of the unedited tape to review the facts.
Live Action plans to send copies of the full tape to state and local investigations to review.
- Video posted on-line claims to show Memphis Planned Parenthood worker telling girl to lie to judge about boyfriend's age
- 14 year old was really an anti-abortion activist with a hidden camera
- Planned Parenthood office asking for unedited version to review
Scott.Noll@wreg.com
(Memphis 4/21/2009) An anti-abortion activist claims undercover video shows workers at the Memphis Planned Parenthood office breaking the law.
The video is the work of a California-based group called Live Action.
Now, they're asking prosecutors to file charges against Planned Parenthood, claiming workers at the Memphis office, and nationwide are not reporting cases of suspected sexual abuse as required by law.
On the video, posted on-line yesterday, the girl tells a Planned Parenthood worker she's 14 and pregnant.
She doesn't want her parents to know because her boyfriend is 31 years old.
On the heavily-edited tape, the worker first warns that the boyfriend is going to get in trouble.
Then, the worker seems to switch gears, and advises the girl to make-up a story to tell a judge in an effort to to waive Tennessee's consent requirement for an abortion.
"Just say you have a boyfriend, 17 years old or whatever," the accused worker can be heard saying.
The 14 year old in the video is really Lila Rose.
On her organization's website, Rose openly declares her goal of ending abortion.
Now she's pushing for the filing of criminal charges against Planned Parenthood.
"It has been heartbreaking to see again and again the lack of interest on the part of the staff members of Planned Parenthood in the real problem of the girl," said Rose by phone.
Planned Parenthood in Memphis refused to comment on-camera on the tape.
In a statement, a spokeswoman called the allegation "serious."
While the spokeswoman said the accuracy of the tape hasn't been verified, she says Planned Parenthood has taken swift action, and is conducting additional staff training this week.
Whether or not the tape is accurate, people on both sides of the abortion issue who watched the tape with WREG News Channel 3 say they're shocked by what they saw.
"It's kind of concerning, you know what I mean?" said Terry Winfrey. The Midtown resident who calls himself pro-choice, added, "31 year old man, 14 year old girl, that's automatic child abuse."
While Stephanie Kern says she's pro-life, she agreed with Winfrey, saying she was shocked by the clip.
"If that's what's really going on, I don't know, it's very sad," Kern said.
Planned Parenthood is requesting a copy of the unedited tape to review the facts.
Live Action plans to send copies of the full tape to state and local investigations to review.
