Abortionist Hipolito Barreiro, owner of the Women’s Care abortion clinic in Miami, was charged with manslaughter in connection with the January 4, 1983 death of 33-year old Shirley Payne. He had not bothered to acquire a license to practice medicine in the United States. He performed abortions on women who were not pregnant. He asked a licensed physician to take responsibility for one of the women he killed. He used unsterile instruments and had three women employees with no medical training dress and act as nurses.
Barreiro had previously killed at least three other women with his “safe and legal” abortions, including 23-year old Ruth Montero on August 7, 1979; 25-year old Maura Morales on May 8, 1981; and 26-year old Myrta Baptiste on December 18, 1982. Barreiro’s abortion mill was unlicensed, because when the State of Florida attempted to regulate abortion clinics, their owners filed suit to protect their unlicensed status, and a circuit judge found that the law was “unjust.” Eventually, public outcry made the courts realize they could protect and defend this abortion mill no longer, and Circuit Court Judge Joseph Nadler ordered it closed.
There were many less severe but still tragic incidents of botched abortions at this abortuary over the years. On August 4, 1978, Carmen Neumann had her uterus and bowel perforated at the abortuary. It took her months to recover, including 15 days in a hospital. Digna Harris nearly died after her May 21, 1980 abortion, also having her uterus and bowel punctured. She settled out of court for $39,000 in damages. Avis Quarrel sued abortionist Alfred Pin after being victimized by an October 1980 botched abortion. Linda Mckinnon nearly died after her July 10, 1981 abortion. Jane Carroll had her uterus ruptured during her December 29, 1981 abortion and had to have a hysterectomy. Ivonne Bruno had a huge tear in her uterus caused by a May 9, 1982 abortion and had to have a total hysterectomy.
It should be noted that local and national pro-abortion groups loudly and vigorously defended this clinic.
References: Steve Sternberg and Bob Lowe. “Abortion Clinic’s Files Seized: Four Have Died After Operations at Miami Center.” The Miami Herald, January 8, 1983, pages 1A and 7A; “4 Patients Have Died Since Abortion Clinic Opened in ’78.” The Miami Herald, January 7, 1983, pages 1A and 7A; Steve Sternberg and Bob Lowe. “Clinic Owner is Held After Latest Death.” The Miami Herald, January 8, 1983, pages 1A and 8A; Steve Sternberg. “Judge Shuts Abortion Clinic; U.S. Joins Death Probe.” The Miami Herald, January 11, 1983, page 1A; New York Daily News, January 12, 1983; Miami Herald, January 5, 1983; State Report. “The Back Alley Comes to Main Street.” ALL About Issues, April 1983, page 29; State Report. “Abortuary Closed After Fourth Woman Dies.” ALL About Issues, March 1983, page 29.
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