Oregon had legalized abortion in 1969 as long as it was performed in a hospital and two doctors certified a justification on the grounds of possible fetal indications, rape or incest, or a "substantial risk" to the mother's mental or physical health. Likely Kathleen's age was the justification for aborting her unborn baby.
The abortion was done on January 30, 1970 by Dr. George H. Lage. According to her father, Thomas L. Kilpatrick Jr., the doctor and hospital had been negligent and careless, resulting in Kathleen's death six days later in Seattle on February 5.
I've been unable to learn the outcome of the $100,000 lawsuit.
Sources:
- "Abortion death suit filed," Tri-City Herald, December 8, 1972
- "Father of abortion victim sues doctor," The (Longview, WA) Daily News, December 8, 1972
- "Suit follows girl's death," The (Vancouver, WA) Columbian, December 8, 1972
- "$100,000 sought in girl's death," The Oregonian, December 8, 1972
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