Texas cops use cameras to track down woman who left state for abortion
Share this @internewscast.com

A troubling episode unfolded in Texas when police officers were found using a national license plate reader system to monitor a woman who had conducted a self-administered abortion, even though the procedure is legal in that state.

The officer involved worked for the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in Cleburne, a community near Fort Worth, where abortion is prohibited except in life-threatening situations.

On May 9, the officer used Flock cameras, which have license plate reading technology, to search for the unidentified woman. 

In urgent situations, police can search surveillance video without obtaining a warrant, and they generally can also view footage from cameras located in public areas.

An officer with the sheriff’s office reportedly searched Flock cameras and gave the reason as, ‘had an abortion, search for female,’ according to sets of data reviewed by 404 Media

The data revealed that the office searched cameras nationwide, combing through 83,000 license plate readers to look for the woman. 

Johnson County Sheriff Adam King told the publication that authorities were searching for the woman because, ‘her family was worried that she was going to bleed to death, and we were trying to find her to get her to a hospital.’ 

‘We weren’t trying to block her from leaving the state or whatever to get an abortion. It was about her safety.’ 

Police officers with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office in Cleburne, Texas, used surveillance camera footage to locate a woman who had an abortion

Police officers with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in Cleburne, Texas, used surveillance camera footage to locate a woman who had an abortion 

Authorities used footage from Flock camera technology to comb through license plate readers to locate the woman

Authorities used footage from Flock camera technology to comb through license plate readers to locate the woman

Abortion is illegal in Texas except in cases where the procedure could save a life. (Pictured: Demonstrators gathering in front of the Texas Capitol after the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade)

Abortion is illegal in Texas except in cases where the procedure could save a life. (Pictured: Demonstrators gathering in front of the Texas Capitol after the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade) 

King told 404 Media that the department got a few ‘hits’ when they searched for the woman’s license plate in Dallas, but that Flock camera footage didn’t ultimately lead to authorities locating the woman. 

Two days after the department located her plate in Dallas, they made contact with her and verified that she was okay. 

The sheriff added that they performed a nationwide search instead of limiting it to their jurisdiction to ensure, ‘we’re hitting everything, every possibility.’

Flock told 404 Media that the company provides technology that individuals can leverage ‘in a way that reflects their values.’

Sheriff Adam King said the department was looking for the woman because her family was concerned and not due to her abortion

Sheriff Adam King said the department was looking for the woman because her family was concerned and not due to her abortion 

‘We support democratically-authorized governing bodies to determine what that means for their community,’ the statement continued.

‘Flock does not decide which criminal codes to enforce in Texas or Washington. We rely on the democratic process. And in this case, it appears Flock was used to try to locate a vulnerable person who may have been a danger to herself.’

Since Roe V. Wade was overturned in 2022, abortion rights returned to the states, with many outlawing the practice entirely. 

In Texas, almost all abortions are prohibited, and there are civil and criminal penalties for those who have them or medical practitioners who perform them.

Flock told 404 Media 'Flock does not decide which criminal codes to enforce in Texas or Washington. We rely on the democratic process. And in this case, it appears Flock was used to try to locate a vulnerable person who may have been a danger to herself'

Flock told 404 Media ‘Flock does not decide which criminal codes to enforce in Texas or Washington. We rely on the democratic process. And in this case, it appears Flock was used to try to locate a vulnerable person who may have been a danger to herself’ 

The only exception to the law is if the health of the patient is at risk. Texas doesn’t allow exceptions for rape or incest like other states. 

The Justice Department decided in November 2023 that the Constitution protects interstate travel to receive an abortion.

Abortion rights activists and advocates against surveillance have previously expressed concern that police could use advanced technology to locate those who have had abortions while living in states where it’s illegal. 

‘Lawmakers will likely pressure police and prosecutors to use all of the tracking tools they have to target health providers, pregnant people, and anyone helping them to access care,’ the Stop Surveillance Technology Oversight Project said before Roe V. Wade was overturned. 

‘And with all mass surveillance, there will be countless bystanders targeted, too, those who will be jailed because of miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, and inaccurate data.’

Most states don't typically prosecute those who have had an abortion, however, there were over 200 pregnancy-related prosecutions in the year after Roe V. Wade was overturned. (Pictured: Protestors marching in Amarillo, Texas, protesting the ban on abortion pills)

Most states don’t typically prosecute those who have had an abortion, however, there were over 200 pregnancy-related prosecutions in the year after Roe V. Wade was overturned. (Pictured: Protestors marching in Amarillo, Texas, protesting the ban on abortion pills) 

Most states don’t criminally prosecute individuals who have had or assisted with abortions.

However, a study conducted by Pregnancy Justice revealed that there were at least 210 pregnancy-related prosecutions from June 24, 2022, to June 23, 2023. 

Nearly half of those prosecutions occurred in Alabama, about a third in Oklahoma, and only six in Texas. 

Most of the prosecutions were related to alleged child abuse, while five concerned allegations of abortion. 

Those who were prosecuted for abortion related instances faced charges ranging from homicide to child neglect. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

15-Year-Old Schoolboy Identified in Harvey Willgoose Tragedy

A teenager with a fixation on knives, who fatally stabbed a fellow…

Uncovering the Truth: FBI’s Massive Reward for Tips on Elusive Pipe Bomb Suspect

The FBI is now offering a $500,000 reward for assistance in identifying…

Teen Cheerleader Survives Party Shooting: Hospital Recovery Sparks Community Support

In a poignant display of community grief and respect, hundreds gathered in…

Kim Kardashian Shares Shocking MRI Discovery: Doctors Detect Brain Aneurysm

Kim Kardashian recently opened up about a medical scare, revealing that doctors…

Knicks Kick Off Season with Impressive 119-111 Win Over Cavaliers

Kenny Atkinson had reached his breaking point. His Cleveland Cavaliers initially managed…

Long Island Shocker: Man Allegedly Attacks Family Members in Violent Knife Incident

In a chilling incident on Long Island, a man has been charged…

Deported Migrant Re-enters UK Amid ‘One In, One Out’ Policy Implementation

Labour’s ‘one in, one out’ agreement with France has sparked controversy today…

Shocking Reactions as East Wing Demolition Surprises Former Republican First Lady’s Team

Veterans from both the Republican and Democratic parties, who have served under…

Death Penalty Looms for Attacker in Shocking Fatal Stabbing of Ukrainian National

A career criminal, whose brutal act was captured on surveillance, now stands…

Shocking Footage: Blind Protester Injured During Anti-ICE Arrest Sparks Outrage

A visually impaired man protesting outside an ICE facility in South Portland…

Paris’ Louvre Museum Back in Action After Daring Daylight Heist of French Crown Jewels

By THOMAS ADAMSON, Associated Press PARIS (AP) — On Wednesday, the Louvre…

Minnesota Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Trans Women Competing in Female Sports

Minnesota’s highest court has sided with a transgender weightlifter embroiled in a…