Florida court rules that pregnant and orphaned 16-year-old girl is 'not mature enough' to decide on whether to have an abortion

 A court in Florida has ruled that a 16-year-old orphaned girl cannot have an abortion because she is 'not mature enough' to make the decision, it was revealed today.

The teenage girl, who does not have any parents, is now appealing the decision after she was barred from terminating her pregnancy following Circuit Judge Jennifer Frydrychowicz's ruling.

Florida law necessitates the consent of a parent or guardian in the case a girl under 18 wants an abortion. The teenager was 10 weeks pregnant when she brought her case to court. 

Despite the teenage girl petitioning that she was 'not ready to have a baby,' the court ruled that she also was not mature enough to decide to abort the unborn child.  

The ruling by Judges Harvey Jay, Rachel Nordby and Scott Makar states the teenager 'had not established by clear and convincing evidence that she was sufficiently mature to decide whether to terminate her pregnancy.'

However, Makar dissented from other judges and wrote the case should be sent back to Frydrychowicz at the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Tallahassee as it was a 'very close call.'

'The trial judge apparently sees this matter as a very close call, finding that the minor was 'credible,' 'open' with the judge, and noninvasive," Makar wrote.

Circuit Judge Jennifer Frydrychowicz ruled a 16-year-old girl could not have an abortion as she did not provide 'clear and convincing evidence that she was sufficiently mature to decide whether to terminate her pregnancy'

The decision was made at the 1st District Court of Appeals in Tallahassee, Florida, which oversees much of northern Florida

Judge Scott Makar dissented with his colleagues opinion and said the teen should appeal, commending her effort and bravery for handing in a petition

He continued that he anticipated the teenager 'would potentially be returning before long — given the statutory time constraints at play — to shore up any lingering doubt the trial court harbored.'

Makar noted the teen had no parents but put in the effort to search on the internet for more information 'to gain an understanding about her medical options and their consequences.'

He also said the teen is 'pursuing a GED with involvement in a program designed to assist young women who have experienced trauma in their lives.'

The minor submitted her petition to the court, which she constructed by hand, and insisted 'she is sufficiently mature to make the decision, saying she 'is not ready to have a baby,' she doesn’t have a job, she is 'still in school,' and the father is unable to assist her.'

He also noted the teen's legal guardian, who accompanied her to court along with her case worker, is fine with her decision to abort the baby. 

Unfortunately for the teen, Makar said she 'inexplicably' checked a box that stated she did not require an attorney, despite one being available to her for free. 

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Makar commended Frydrychowicz for her conduct during the hearing, and said 'she asked difficult questions of the minor on sensitive personal matters in a compassionate manner.'

Frydrychowicz is a registered Republican in a state with a Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, meaning it is more difficult for women to get an abortion than it is in Democrat-run states. 

The overturning of Roe v. Wade means states have more autonomy to decide whether women have the right to an abortion, and it is becoming increasingly difficult in Florida to get one. 

Even before the monumental Roe v. Wade decision earlier this year, DeSantis signed a law forbidding abortion past the point of 15 weeks pregnant, a decision that is now being challenged in court. 

Florida Democratic Party spokesman Travis Reuther spoke about the case, saying 'thanks to Ron DeSantis, Florida is now forcing a teenager to give birth against her will.'

'That is an appalling and dangerous overreach by the Governor, who claims to represent the ‘free state of Florida,’ but wants to make women’s healthcare decisions for them,' Reuther continued.