1987: Safe, legal abortion leaves widower to raise two children alone

On January 16, 1987, 38-year-old Pamela Wainwright died at Shallowford Community Hospital in Dunwoody, Georgia. She left her husband to raise two children, including one with Down syndrome.

Pamela had been admitted to Shallowford on January 15, for an abortion and tubal ligation. She was 11 weeks pregnant. She was taken to the operating room for her surgery the next day. The abortion and tubal ligation were to be performed by Dr. Wendell Phillips.

Phillips placed a needle into Pamela's abdomen to pump in carbon dioxide. He did not ensure proper placement of the needle. Instead of pumping carbon dioxide into her abdomen, he pumped it into her bloodstream.

Pamela died almost immediately from cardiac arrest, due to vapor lock in her heart.

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