Court sets next steps for immigrant teen seeking abortion

After stopping a 17-year-old immigrant teen in government custody from getting an abortion earlier this week, an appeals court Friday issued conditions under which she could end the life of her baby. The girl, now 15 weeks along, illegally entered the United States in September as an unaccompanied minor before learning she was pregnant. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled Friday that the government does not have to facilitate her abortion by transporting her to get one, but should try to release her to a sponsor such as a relative in the U.S. If that does not happen by Oct. 31, then the girl can continue her court case against the government, the judges ruled. Federal health officials said in a statement Friday after the ruling that for “however much time” they are given they “will protect the well-being of this minor and all children and their babies” in their facilities.