UPDATE: New Mexico Facility and UNM Settled Wrongful Abortion Death Suit for Total of $1.26 Million5/11/2022 Operation Rescue assisted Abortion Free New Mexico with the initial investigation and exposure of this tragedy. By Cheryl Sullenger, (Republished with the permission of Operation Rescue) Albuquerque, NM – Southwestern Women’s Options, a full-term abortion facility located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has settled a major medical malpractice/wrongful death suit for $900,000. According to the Albuquerque Journal, the settlement agreement was reached with the abortion facility last fall. “Southwestern Women’s Option clinic, in settling its part of the lawsuit, sought a confidentiality provision to bar the parties from discussing the settlement. They are specifically not permitted to disparage the clinic or its doctors, according to the settlement agreement, which was filed as an exhibit in the lawsuit,” the newspaper reported. Last month, the University of New Mexico agreed to pay the family of Keisha Atkins $365,000 to settle their part of the lawsuit that alleged UNM negligently referred Atkins to Southwestern Women’s Options where Atkins received a fatal multi-day abortion. That settlement resulted in a full dismissal of the wrongful death suit in April. That brings the total payout to Atkins’ mother, Tina Atkins, and her sister, Nichole, to over $1.26 million. Southwestern Women’s Options’ owner, Curtis Boyd, reached the settlement during mediation in relation to allegations that “its subsequent treatment of Atkins fell below the standard of care and was negligent,” according to the Albuquerque Journal. Atkins was 23 years old and six months pregnant when she sought an abortion at the UNM Center for Reproductive Health early 2017. That abortion facility determined that Atkins was too far along for a procedure there, so she was referred to Southwestern Women’s Options, which is one of the few abortion facilities in the U.S. that openly conducts abortions through all trimesters of pregnancy. Once at SWO, Atkins underwent a multi-day late-term abortion. Before the process could be completed, Atkins was taken to UNM Medical Center where she died on February 4, 2017. The Albuquerque Journal reported that Tina Atkins described during a deposition meeting her daughter in the hospital that fateful day when Keisha was still alive and talking. Keisha was combative, and 'a little bit delirious,' Atkins said. But she could still talk. "The first thing that came out of her mouth was, ‘Mom, I’m going to die.'" An autopsy was done at the University of New Mexico that listed Atkins’ cause of death as “Pulmonary Thromboembolism due to Pregnancy.” Tara Shaver of Abortion Free New Mexico, who was initially tipped to Atkins’ death, was among the first to receive a copy of the autopsy report. Suspicious that the cause of death blamed Atkins pregnancy instead of the abortion, Shaver asked Operation Rescue to review the autopsy results. Operation Rescue’s staff, which is experienced in analyzing autopsy reports, found that the listed cause of death was untrue, and suspected that UNM was attempting to cover up the liability of UNM and SWO in Atkins’ death. Operation Rescue discovered that the autopsy report itself noted that Atkins developed an infection during the multi-day abortion that turned septic. As a complication of the septicemia, she developed a clotting disorder. It was a blood clot found in her lung caused by the abortion process that eventually took her life – not her pregnancy. At the time, Curtis Boyd commented in the Albuquerque Journal attacking Operation Rescue’s discovery: For those who oppose women’s reproductive justice to exploit this sad event by putting forward lies about abortion and the patient’s care is sickening. We trust the citizens of New Mexico to be compassionate and understanding of the needs of women and to see through this inflammatory attack on women’s reproductive rights and on us.” In the end, the settlements vindicated Operation Rescue’s findings and proved that it was Boyd who was lying to cover up his clinic’s negligence in Atkins’ death. We are glad that the Keisha Atkins wrongful death case is now closed and that her family will receive a large settlement. I know that no amount of money will compensate them for the death of their loved one, but I pray it will bring closure to the family,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. The case was handled by Abortion on Trial. More information about this case is available on their website. Tara Shaver, spokeswoman for Abortion Free New Mexico issued the following statement: "Abortion Free New Mexico is thankful for the collaboration with Operation Rescue who assisted us with the initial investigation and exposure of this tragedy. Our hope is that the family of Keisha Atkins can find closure and peace and that her death will help serve to deter other women from choosing abortion. This $1.26 million dollar settlement should set a precedent that late-term abortions pose serious life threatening risks to women and that UNM should refrain from their participation in referring and providing abortion services. New Mexico tax dollars are funding these risky procedures through medicaid and now the tax payers are footing the bill for the abortion deaths of women.
1 Comment
By Tara Shaver Albuquerque, New Mexico- Abortion Free New Mexico wrapped up a successful full month of prayer in April with our No Sidewalk Without the Savior Campaign. We have our amazing team of volunteers to thank for making sure that each day people were present and praying for an end to abortion at the University of New Mexico. One of our volunteers shared this testimony, I need to tell you what happened yesterday when praying at the clinic with Tom. A young lady walked all the way up the hill, started with 'I am a Christian' and told us she has 3 kids and just found out she is pregnant. She is barely making it now and is concerned about another baby. Her name is Samantha. Does not want an abortion but... Did not say she is married. We were struck with her concern for the future. We panicked to some extent. It is easy to pray "shut down this clinic" but tough to help someone going thru a real challenge. We prayed with her and gave her one of the resource packets." This story demonstrates the importance of being present at the places where women seeking abortions are. If our team had not been there, this woman wouldn't have local resources to pursue and she most likely wouldn't have reached out for prayer because of the shame and stigma that is inevitable for women considering an abortion. It is a blessing to know that when the body of Christ is present opportunities arise and we can be the light in this dark world. Join us tomorrow for Faith To Action Friday as we collectively come together to put our faith into action outside the UNM abortion center.
You're Invited to Pray & to Stand Up For Life at the University of New Mexico’s free standing abortion facility.
Albuquerque, New Mexico-National Day of Prayer 2022 On May 5, 2022 Abortion Free New Mexico represented the Pro-Life community at the National Day of Prayer in Civic Plaza located in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. Building a Culture of Life in New Mexico begins with prayer! Please continue to pray for an end to all abortions and for new elected leaders to serve New Mexico.
The Supreme Court has voted to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, according to an initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito circulated inside the court and obtained by Politico. Politico noted, No draft decision in the modern history of the court has been disclosed publicly while a case was still pending."
Tara Shaver, spokeswoman for Abortion Free New Mexico issued the following statement, If this is the end of Roe v. Wade in America, it will open the door for more states to pass life saving legislation and outlaw abortion outright. This decision will save countless lives and will give the states the ability to decide for themselves which laws can best protect women and their pre-born children. However, at the local level this is an even more urgent call to action in New Mexico, as abortion on demand will remain the status quo. We must work harder than ever from now until November to oust the democrats that have hijacked New Mexico with their radical pro-death agenda and have kept our state in bondage for over 90 years. Unless Republicans are elected across the state, late-term abortion through all nine months will continue unabated. In fact, New Mexico will become an even more targeted destination for abortion tourism. |
Bud & Tara ShaverWe are working toward an Abortion Free New Mexico where every pre-born child is valued and protected. Archives
May 2022
TAKE ACTION CLICK HERE
![]()
Click here for DECISIVE STRATEGIES to End Pre-born Child killing |