BYU-Idaho Scroll

Idaho ordered to pay Planned Parenthood

Ashley Killpack
KIL05005@BYUI.EDU
Scroll Staff

Federal judge Mikel Williams announced March 31 that the state of Idaho would pay Planned Parenthood more than $380,000 in attorney fees.

The original case focused on Idaho’s parental consent laws and was found unconstitutional by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in June 2004.

The law stated girls could only bypass parental consent by pleading their case to a judge in their home county or the county in which the abortion was to take place. The teen’s parents also had to be notified 24 hours after the procedure.

Cases concerning this particular law have cost the state more than $750,000 due to pro-abortion lawsuits.

A second parental consent law has already been approved by the state.

Oregon family saved, charged with felony

Elbert and Becky Higginbotham were arrested for possession of illegal drugs Tuesday, March 28, a week after police saved the couple and their family.

The family’s motor home had been stranded in the snow on an Oregon back road for more than two weeks, while trying to go to California.

The Higginbothams had been arrested previously for possession of methamphetamines in Arizona, but fled the state under the guise of a promise to cooperate with officials.

After that, there was an outstanding warrant for their arrest. By the time Oregon officials recognized this fact, the Higginbothams had fled.

The family was not charged immediately after the rescue because they cooperated, said police officials.