1971: Journey to death for Michigan teen

"Roxanne" was 17 years old when she traveled to New York from Michigan to have a safe, legal first-trimester abortion in a doctor's office. The doctor gave her sedatives and local anesthesia to begin the abortion on May 13, 1972. But before the abortion could be started, Roxanne started to have convulsions and went into cardiac arrest.

Roxanne was taken to an area hospital, but she was declared dead on arrival.

An investigation into the case revealed that the doctor had exceeded the recommended dose of the local anesthesetic.

For more abortion deaths, visit the Cemetery of Choice:



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