A man from Galveston County has filed a federal lawsuit against a California doctor, accusing the doctor of mailing abortion pills to his girlfriend at the request of her estranged husband.
The lawsuit claims that the pills were sent by Dr. Remy Coeytaux, and the girlfriend took the pills in September 2024 to end a pregnancy. Later, she was allegedly pressured by her estranged husband to terminate another pregnancy using the same method.
The Lawsuit Details
In his lawsuit, Jerry Rodriguez alleges that his girlfriend was mailed abortion-inducing pills by Dr. Coeytaux, who reportedly acted under the direction of her estranged husband.
The lawsuit also expresses Rodriguez’s fear that his girlfriend may be pressured again to end her current pregnancy. He is seeking more than $75,000 in damages and a legal injunction on Dr. Coeytaux to prevent future distribution of abortion pills to others in similar situations.
Abortion Pill Lawsuits in the U.S.
Rodriguez’s case mirrors a 2023 case filed in Texas, where a 20-year-old woman from Collin County was prescribed abortion pills by a New York doctor. In that case, the court ordered Dr. Maggie Carpenter to pay $100,000 and issued a permanent injunction against her.
However, unlike Rodriguez’s situation, the man involved in the Collin County case was unaware that the woman was pregnant until after she had already taken the pills.
Shield Laws and Abortion in Texas
The Galveston lawsuit is significant because it could test the application of “shield laws.” These laws protect doctors who prescribe abortion medication from being prosecuted in states where abortion is banned or limited.
In California, for example, a doctor cannot be arrested for violating laws from another state that criminalize abortion.
Meanwhile, Texas has strict abortion laws, including a ban on the delivery or mail distribution of abortion-inducing drugs and regulations that prevent doctors from prescribing medication through telemedicine without a Texas medical license.
Last year, Texas lawmakers attempted to increase penalties for distributing abortion pills from out-of-state sources, though the bill failed to pass in the House after being approved in the Senate.
What’s Next for Abortion Pill Legislation?
The Texas abortion pill issue continues to be a heated topic. House Bill 37, refiled during the current special session, aims to address this issue by increasing penalties for distributing abortion pills across state lines.
“Protecting unborn children” is also listed as a priority issue for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, with Senate Bill 8 focusing on the matter, although this bill has not yet been filed as of Thursday.
This lawsuit in Galveston highlights the ongoing legal battle over abortion pills and the complexities of abortion laws across state lines. As the case progresses, it could set important precedents regarding the rights of fathers, medical professionals, and state protections in abortion cases.
Meanwhile, Texas continues to push for stricter abortion laws, particularly concerning the distribution of abortion pills, amid increasing legal challenges.
