THIS THIS THIS... I'm assuming they're not even consulting her because of her mental capabilities but... she's bound to have thoughts/concerns/feelings about it. They should be taken into consideration at least to some degree.
And uh, yeah, I think it's FAR more likely that she was taken advantage of... and the fact that this means it is likely due to group home negligence makes me even more angry. MEh.
I hope they do consult her. I think someone with a mental capacity of a six year old could have an opinion on their pregnancy. That shouldn't be an automatic rule-out. And it's her feelings that will need to be addressed, whatever happens.
The article is poorly written, but I think they're referring to Bauer in this sentence? 'According to the letter, she also has concerns about continuing the pregnancy.', In which case they have consulted her.
I fully admit that my knowledge of and experience with developmental disabilities is very limited, but I'm not comfortable with forcing anyone to have an abortion or continue a pregnancy they don't want. I wish the article made it clearer whether Bauer wants an abortion or not (beyond "she has concerns about continuing.")
Also side-eyeing the author for the "prostituted herself" part, ugh. I'm sure those men were just paying customers and in no way took advantage of someone vulnerable.
Situations like this are always tough, and I'm not sure there can be *a* rule given how wide a range of people are considered to have developmental disabilities. To me, the critical point is whether or not she has the capacity to truly appreciate the risks she's taking by continuing the pregnancy even if they have to be explained to her in simple terms. If she does, it should be entirely up to her. If not, I kind of feel like someone else has to step in at that point because she's not able to give informed consent either way. Who that 'someone' should be... way above my pay grade.
I don't even know what to say, this entire thing is just so sad. She has the mental and social capacity of a 6-year-old - I can't get past this. I hate that this happened in the first place.
I wonder how long she was gone from the group home before she was located? That's pretty disturbing, too, and makes me wonder if there were other shortfalls in her care. And I wonder what her parents'/guardians' stance was on birth control?
So sad--I hope someone can determine more about what she wants here. And that charges can be pressed against whoever raped her.
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Maybe she feels she gets better care in the group home? Rare but possibly telling.
Bauer is thought to have wandered away from the group home, prostituted herself at a truck stop and become pregnant during one of those encounters.
This... is somehow a more reliable story than someone taking advantage of her?
Also, it's kind of sad that nowhere in this article does it mention what she wants to do about her own pregnancy.
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And uh, yeah, I think it's FAR more likely that she was taken advantage of... and the fact that this means it is likely due to group home negligence makes me even more angry. MEh.
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I'm sure I have more to say about it but today is filled with too many feels to process.
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Also side-eyeing the author for the "prostituted herself" part, ugh. I'm sure those men were just paying customers and in no way took advantage of someone vulnerable.
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And, yeah, MASSIVE side-eye on that.
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ikr? idt anyone could pay me *enough* to make legal-moral decisions for other humans.
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And I wonder what her parents'/guardians' stance was on birth control?
So sad--I hope someone can determine more about what she wants here. And that charges can be pressed against whoever raped her.
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