| Alice Kimberly, Illegal Abortion Death | |
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On February 10, 1957, veterinarian Ira Ledbetter performed an abortion on Alice Kimberly. Ledbetter used a veterinary instrument called a milk tube on Alice, causing lacerations and an embolism. She quickly died of her injuries, leaving her husband with five minor children to raise alone. Alice's abortion was unusual in that it was not preformed by a physician, as was by far the most typical scenario. Still, it was performed by somebody with medical training, which was unusual but still more common than amateur or self-induced abortions. During the 1950s, we see an anomaly: Though maternal mortality had been falling during the first half of the 20th Century, and abortion mortality in particular had been plummeting, the downward trend slowed, then reversed itself briefly. I have yet to figure out why. For more, see Abortion Deaths in the 1950's. For more on pre-legalization abortion, see The Bad Old Days of Abortion
Source: 183 Kan. 644, 331 P.2d 307; Supreme Court of Kansas. DeWain Kimberly, Sr.; Jeannette Kimberly, a minor; Carol Ann Kimberly, a minor; DeWain Kimberly, Jr., a minor; Jackie Dean Kimberly, a minor; and Donnie LeeKimberly, a minor, by DeWain Kimberly, Sr., their father, as natural guardianand next friend, Appellees,v.Ira Ledbetter, Appellant.No. 41074.Nov. 8, 1958
