Can a Minor Be Forced to Have an Abortion

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Nebraska. Can you force a 13 year old to have an abortion. If not, what is the legal responsibility of the parents to provide for the 13 year-old's baby?

Quote:

---

Quoting Billsgpe

---

My question involves juvenile law in the State of: Nebraska. Can you force a 13 year old to have an abortion. If not, what is the legal responsibility of the parents to provide for the 13 year-old's baby?

---

No one can force anyone to have an abortion. All adults are responsible for the wellbeing of children living in their homes.

Quote:

---

Can you force a 13 year old to have an abortion

---

No, you can't force a minor to have an abortion. The exception being if there is a medical emergency where the minor's life may be in danger and abortion is necessary to protect the life of the minor, in which case the parents of the minor can authorize an abortion against the minor's will.

Quote:

---

what is the legal responsibility of the parents to provide for the 13 year-old's baby?

---

Technically, none. The parents of the child are responsible. However, most 13 year olds aren't able to work or earn enough to support a baby, and the father of the baby is either also a young teen with the same problem, or a felon - either way, there is going to be an inherent problem in getting child support from the father. So from a practical standpoint, the grandparents are likely going to have to either (a) provide at least SOME level of assistance, financial or otherwise, or (b) wait until the mother neglects the child enough for social services to take the baby away.

Quote:

---

Quoting aardvarc

---

No, you can't force a minor to have an abortion. The exception being if there is a medical emergency where the minor's life may be in danger and abortion is necessary to protect the life of the minor, in which case the parents of the minor can authorize an abortion against the minor's will.



Technically, none. The parents of the child are responsible. However, most 13 year olds aren't able to work or earn enough to support a baby, and the father of the baby is either also a young teen with the same problem, or a felon - either way, there is going to be an inherent problem in getting child support from the father. So from a practical standpoint, the grandparents are likely going to have to either (a) provide at least SOME level of assistance, financial or otherwise, or (b) wait until the mother neglects the child enough for social services to take the baby away.

---

Again, that would be a dangerous move on the part of the parents. If the baby is living in their home they would be considered to be equally responsible for any neglect.

Only if THEY were not the ones to contact social services. The minor's parents can't stop the minor from having the baby or bringing it into their home, but if their goal is to "rid" the home of their grandchild, it's a predictable certainty that the mother won't be able to provide for the baby. So either they provide, or they call to have the baby taken from the mother.

Cold, huh?

the grandparents may able to get public assistance for the baby

If they do not wish too, why should they. A simple call to Childrens Services and removal is the easiest solution. In many situations, they end up raising the extra child while mom works or attends school in addition to the need for extra transportation to and from doctors appointments etc..

I don't know whether it is the 13 year old who is asking this question, or the parents of the 13 year old, or possibly the perpetrator of the pregnancy (or his parents). But whoever it is, be aware that the age of consent in Nebraska is 17 and that Nebraska has no close in age exemption. Which means that regardless of the age of the perpetrator, he has committed a crime, and if he is also under 17 then the 13 year old has also. As a result, it may not be wise for anyone to go out of their way to bring this to the attention of the authorities if they do not want one or both of them in danger of criminal prosecution.

Of course, the doctor is a mandated reporter so there is no guarantee that it won't be brought to the attention of the authorities anyway. But think hard before you decide to bring Childrens' Services into the mix - you don't know what you might bring down upon yourself.

Child services should automatically be notified when the birth occurs. Children's services is going to be involved at LEAST for that aspect, and they in turn will notify law enforcement if the father committed a potentially unlawful act against the minor.

Quote:

---

Quoting aardvarc

---

Only if THEY were not the ones to contact social services. The minor's parents can't stop the minor from having the baby or bringing it into their home, but if their goal is to "rid" the home of their grandchild, it's a predictable certainty that the mother won't be able to provide for the baby. So either they provide, or they call to have the baby taken from the mother.

Cold, huh?

---

Again, I disagree. I think that such a tactic would seriously put the parents at risk. I think that the likelihood would be that CPS would remove BOTH children from their care.