LG gets to make her choice

The judge has ruled in favor of the Florida 13 year-old (known as "L.G.") who wanted to have an abortion. And while initially (registration required) it looked as though the Department of Children and Families was going to appeal, it now appears that they are going to let the ruling stand. From the AP:

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- A judge ruled that a 13-year-old girl at the center of an abortion fight with the state may terminate her pregnancy, and Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday that the state will not appeal further.

Juvenile Judge Ronald Alvarez ruled Monday that the teen, who has been in state custody for four years, would not be physically or emotionally harmed by the procedure. Last week, Alvarez blocked the girl's abortion until a psychological evaluation was completed.

"He ruled that she is competent, that she has made a decision and that she has a right to act on that decision," said Howard Simon, executive director of the Florida American Civil Liberties Union, which represented the girl.

What a brave young woman, to stick to her guns in the face of such overwhelming opposition. My heart goes out to her; I hope her life starts to get a little less hectic from now on.