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Monday, January 07, 2008

Anniversary: Doctor performs fatal criminal abortion

On January 7, 1901, Mrs. Julia K. Pettinger died in her home from an abortion performed there that day. Dr. Maggie Becker was arrested April 24, based on a coroner's verdict that same day. Becker was held to grand jury, tried, convicted, and sentenced to 14 years in Joilet Penitentiary.

Julia's abortion was typical of the back-alley abortion in that it was performed by a physician.



For more on pre-legalization abortion, see The Bad Old Days of Abortion

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