232:. The Court's opinion stated "it is clear from the record that the Catholic League is a religious organization which regards a fetus as a human being and abortion as murder. While this specific belief may well cross sectarian lines... any state action showing a preference for this belief will be strictly scrutinized and must be invalidated". Since fetal remains are normally incinerated without ceremony, there was no reason to do otherwise with these fetuses, stating "We perceive that the intended burial ceremony will enlist the prestige and power of the state. This is constitutionally forbidden." However, religious services could hold concurrent onsite memorial services, which was praised by U.S. President
353:, this money was ineligible for testing on pre-abortion or post-abortion tissue, which meant the state of California would need to pay back federal funds claimed by Weisberg and by any other laboratories, according to HHS inspector Richard P. Kusserow. Kusserow also stated "prior to its closing in April, 1981, had routinely submitted questionable billings under the Medi-Cal program, using an erroneous billing code.... the case lacked criminal prosecutive merit due to a lack of proof that the false billings were intentional. Because the laboratory was out of business, and its owner had declared bankruptcy, there were no assets against which to proceed for civil recovery".
313:, who read a message from Ronald Reagan but stressed his attendance was in an unofficial capacity. Reagan's message stated "Just as the terrible toll of Gettysburg can be traced to a tragic decision of a divided Supreme Court, so also can these deaths we mourn. Once again a whole category of human beings has been ruled outside the protection of the law by a court ruling which clashed with our deepest moral convictions." Others in attendance were Representative
306:. The anti-abortion group Feminists for Life didn't plan a full memorial service since they held a service in May, but the Americans Committed to Loving the Unwanted held a service. The Feminist Women's Health Center was dismayed over the public burial. About 250 individuals attended the service, including
175:, which offered free burial. The fetuses were not buried at Valhalla, which later stated it offered the burial plot because "the right-to-life groups came to us, and we said we wouldn't endorse any political viewpoint, but we thought that interring the bodies was a proper thing to do as a service".
294:
that the fetuses had been kept in "five pine boxes". The department assured ACLU that there were no identifying marks on canisters containing the fetuses, and ACLU stated they would not object to a secular burial. While ACLU would not object, the
Feminist Women's Health Center petitioned the Los
236:
in a letter to the
California Pro-Life Medical Association, admiring their decision "to hold a memorial service for these children". Philibosian announced he would appeal the ruling allowing onsite memorial services. In October 1984,
108:
limit allowed by
California law at the time. Officials found 193 fetuses that appeared to be over the 20-week limit. Van de Kamp wanted to turn the remaining fetuses over to groups who would perform memorial services for them.
151:. John Lynch, the chief deputy county counsel stated it was inappropriate to enjoin Van de Kamp, who was simply a "man in the middle", and that the lawsuit should be filed against abortion rights groups instead. In June 1982,
289:
ordered the fetuses be turned over to the Guerra-Gutirrez-Alexander
Mortuary for burial. Per the court's order, the mortuary was selected because they did not have a religious affiliation. At the time, it was noted by the
123:
ruling in 1973, but fetuses could be individually examined to determine viability, which was the legal limit. In late May, Van de Kamp stated every fetus would be examined to determine if the fetus was aborted illegally.
35:, with the fetuses finally buried in 1985. No criminal charges were filed against any of the parties involved. Weisberg had stored the specimens properly but had not disposed of them due to financial difficulties.
163:
against Van de Kamp to prevent the unconstitutional release of the fetuses to groups for burial, but allowed him to legally dispose of the fetuses, called "vague" by John Lynch, the chief deputy county counsel.
74:
said up to 500 fetuses were found. On
February 24, 1982, the count of fetuses was raised to approximately 2000, with the majority of them being from the storage container and 200–300 from Weisberg's garage.
93:
The fetuses resulted from pregnancies terminated by licensed physicians, clinics and hospitals who contracted with
Medical Analytic Laboratories for pathology testing and disposal of the fetuses.
269:
director said the service and marker " fetuses when they deny the humanity of women already born". The ceremony was attended by "several hundred anti-abortionists", including
Representative
346:
291:
71:
1050:
299:
637:
Ingram, Carl; Jacobs, Paul (11 May 1982). "Abortion
Prosecution Possible-Deukmejian: Opinion Clears Way for Van de Kamp to File Charges in Woodland Hills Case".
78:
The tally of fetuses was estimated at "up to 17,000" in May 1982, and was later finally set at 16,431. A count of 193 fetuses were evidently over 20 weeks'
657:
Oliver, Myrna (23 June 1982). "Release of
Fetuses for Rites Prohibited: Judge's Injunction Forbids Van de Kamp to Allow Their Use in Religious Services".
265:, where a granite tombstone was left with the inscription "For all those deprived of life and human love through abortion". In response, the California
257:
announced he recorded a song titled "Sixteen
Thousand Faces" about the incident, first played at an anti-abortion memorial service for the fetuses at
955:
245:
refused to overturn the state appeals court ruling allowing the religious ceremonies. This was officially upheld by the Supreme Court in March 1985.
1040:
307:
286:
495:
478:
Jacobs, Paul (26 February 1982). "Legality of State Abortion Law Doubted: Discovery of 2,000 Fetuses Raises Issue of Validity of Prohibitions".
1005:
620:
Rohrlich, Ted (20 August 1983). "L.A. County Won't Prosecute in Abortions: Court Fight Still Being Waged on How to Dispose of 16,431 Fetuses".
201:
97:
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Jalon, Allan (29 September 1985). "Controversial Fetuses to Be Buried Oct. 6: 3-Year Battle Over Interment to End in East L.A. Cemetery".
325:. The anti-abortion group Americans Committed to Loving the Unwanted organized the service, including requesting a three-man Marine Corps
362:
345:
payments, with $ 88,000 coming from pathology tests on aborted fetuses. Of this, half of it ($ 44,000) was paid federally through the
1025:
213:
152:
144:
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stated the gestation limit of the 1967 California abortion law was considered unenforceable because of conflicts with the 23-week
104:, said the fetuses would be individually examined and charges would be filed against the doctors if fetuses were over the 20-week
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1015:
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27:, California, home and the ensuing legal battle regarding their disposal. It was called a "national tragedy" by then-president
229:
217:
148:
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area of Los Angeles. The company opened the container on the following day, discovering the fetuses, which were stored in
522:
Jones, Jack (27 May 1982). "Each Stored Fetus to Be Examined: L.A. District Attorney to Decide Whether to File Charges".
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judge Eli Chernow ruled the 20-week limit was unconstitutional, also ruling that Van de Kamp could bury the fetuses and
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367:
197:
160:
113:
266:
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wrote a letter advocating for memorial services "for these children", referring to it as "this national tragedy".
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322:
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In October 1982, Van de Kamp petitioned the court to allow the burial of all but the 193 late-term fetuses in
56:
258:
60:
298:
The disposition occurred on October 6, 1985, with the fetuses in six pine boxes, which were buried at the
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310:
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48:
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was the 1982 discovery of over 16,000 aborted fetuses being improperly stored at Malvin Weisberg's
274:
238:
190:
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judge Eli Chernow, ruling the fetuses could not be buried as human remains, which was a win for
904:
Townsend, Dorothy (14 September 1985). "Feminist Center Challenges Planned Burial of Fetuses".
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691:
Bloom, Stephen (2 September 1985). "Valhalla Cemetery Records History of Famous, Forgotten".
960:
505:
101:
864:
Baker, Bob (20 May 1985). "Several Hundred Anti-Abortionists Attend Service for Fetuses".
779:
Hernandez, Marita (28 September 1984). "County Will Take Fetus Issue to U.S. High Court".
556:
Rohrlich, Ted (20 August 1983). "D.A. Will Not File Charges in Deaths of 16,431 Fetuses".
500:
205:
139:
The matter came in front of the judge because of a lawsuit filed against Van de Kamp by
350:
956:"Aborted Fetuses Get Religious Burial Reagan Sends Message To Ceremony In Los Angeles"
999:
725:
Blake, Gene (3 July 1984). "Appeal Court Bars Disputed Plan to Bury 16,000 Fetuses".
330:
303:
233:
225:
183:
133:
28:
85:
State law required the fetuses to be cremated or buried "within a reasonable time".
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Jackson, Robert (29 May 1983). "State May Owe U.S. Millions for Tests on Fetuses".
209:
140:
64:
44:
884:
McGarry, T.W. (28 August 1985). "County Orders Burial of Controversial Fetuses".
326:
120:
813:
Hager, Philip (19 March 1985). "Court Clears the Way for Disposal of Fetuses".
596:
Hager, Philip (19 March 1985). "Court Clears the Way for Disposal of Fetuses".
847:
Jalon, Allan (14 May 1985). "Fetuses Left Unburied Prompt Song by Pat Boone".
403:
Blake, Gene (11 February 1982). "Secret Meeting Set in Fetus Discovery Case".
314:
270:
168:
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Oliver, Myrna (22 December 1982). "Judge Rejects Abortion Bar at 20 Weeks".
254:
105:
79:
32:
674:
Rohrlich, Ted (1 October 1982). "Permission Sought for Burial of Fetuses".
389:
Raimundo, Jeff (March 19, 1985). "High court stymies LA burial of fetuses".
193:, who stated he preferred a "dignified burial" and would not file charges.
51:
in 1980, delivering it to his Woodland Hills home and paying for it with a
342:
341:
Weisberg's Medical Analytical Laboratories received nearly $ 175,000 in
444:
Michaelson, Judith (6 February 1982). "500 Fetuses Found in Storage".
220:
and was denounced by the California Pro-Life Medical Association, the
55:
for $ 1700. The container was repossessed on February 3, 1982, by the
938:
McGarry, TW (7 October 1985). "Fetuses Buried-With Hymns, Prayers".
295:
Angeles Superior Court to block the burial, but the courts refused.
43:
Malvin Weisberg had operated Medical Analytic Laboratories in
47:
from 1976 until March 1981. He purchased a 20-foot (6.1 m)
277:
group. At the time, the fetuses had not been disposed of.
70:
The initial press conference, on February 5, 1982, by the
333:
on a box and stood at attention throughout the service.
796:"L.A. County Loses Plea to Bury 16,500 Fetuses (UPI)".
347:
United States Department of Health and Human Services
496:"2,000 fetuses linked to out-of-business laboratory"
208:
groups and feminists. The case had been appealed by
292:Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
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224:. The appealing parties argued that allowing
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186:groups could hold onsite memorial services.
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461:"Officials Find 200 to 400 More Fetuses".
214:Los Angeles Feminist Women's Health Center
145:Los Angeles Feminist Women's Health Center
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384:
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830:"Boone Song Inspired by Fetus Protest".
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228:groups to bury the remains violated the
189:By July 1983, the district attorney was
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287:Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
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517:
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1051:Medical scandals in the United States
745:"The Region: U.S. Supreme Court...".
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202:Superior Court of Los Angeles County
98:Los Angeles County District Attorney
72:Los Angeles County Health Department
82:, with the oldest almost 30 weeks.
363:Morning Glory Funeral Home scandal
31:and inspired a song by pop singer
21:Los Angeles fetus disposal scandal
14:
153:Los Angeles County Superior Court
751:. 12 October 1984. p. OC2.
508:. 25 February 1982. p. 19.
467:. 24 February 1982. p. A3.
426:. 18 February 1982. p. D4.
173:Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery
1041:History of women in California
576:"Depoliticizing the Fetuses".
230:separation of church and state
218:American Civil Liberties Union
149:American Civil Liberties Union
1:
1006:Abortion in the United States
267:Abortion Rights Action League
89:Source and age of the fetuses
836:. 14 May 1985. p. OC17.
802:. 18 March 1985. p. A2.
768:. 10 July 1984. p. SD2.
582:. 11 June 1982. p. D6.
368:Tri-State Crematory scandal
321:, and state Representative
198:California Courts of Appeal
161:temporary restraining order
114:California Attorney General
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180:Los Angeles Superior Court
317:, state Senate President
1026:Funeral-related industry
57:Martin Container Company
1021:Scandals in California
1016:Legal aspects of death
1011:History of Los Angeles
420:"Meeting on Fetuses".
259:Live Oak Memorial Park
311:Michael D. Antonovich
249:Anti-abortion service
1046:Women in Los Angeles
300:Odd Fellows Cemetery
285:In August 1985, the
253:In May 1985, singer
16:1982 medical scandal
1031:1982 in California
275:Feminists for Life
239:U.S. Supreme Court
196:In July 1984, the
191:Robert Philibosian
178:In December 1982,
132:In 1982 President
986:Los Angeles Times
941:Los Angeles Times
924:Los Angeles Times
907:Los Angeles Times
887:Los Angeles Times
867:Los Angeles Times
850:Los Angeles Times
833:Los Angeles Times
816:Los Angeles Times
799:Los Angeles Times
782:Los Angeles Times
765:Los Angeles Times
748:Los Angeles Times
728:Los Angeles Times
711:Los Angeles Times
694:Los Angeles Times
677:Los Angeles Times
660:Los Angeles Times
640:Los Angeles Times
623:Los Angeles Times
599:Los Angeles Times
579:Los Angeles Times
559:Los Angeles Times
525:Los Angeles Times
481:Los Angeles Times
464:Los Angeles Times
447:Los Angeles Times
423:Los Angeles Times
409:. p. SD_A13.
406:Los Angeles Times
337:Financial fallout
308:County Supervisor
243:William Rehnquist
157:Dickran Tevrizian
117:George Deukmejian
49:storage container
1058:
1036:Funeral scandals
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964:. 7 October 1985
961:Orlando Sentinel
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102:John Van de Kamp
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910:. p. V_A8.
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762:"The Region".
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602:. p. SD3.
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349:(HHS). By the
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53:bounced check
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29:Ronald Reagan
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966:. Retrieved
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128:Legal action
111:
95:
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65:formaldehyde
45:Santa Monica
42:
20:
18:
327:color guard
281:Disposition
200:overturned
121:Roe v. Wade
1000:Categories
374:References
315:Bob Dornan
271:Bob Dornan
61:Wilmington
255:Pat Boone
159:issued a
106:gestation
80:gestation
39:Discovery
33:Pat Boone
357:See also
343:Medi-Cal
273:and the
263:Monrovia
241:justice
216:and the
147:and the
212:of the
143:of the
968:7 June
155:judge
970:2011
96:The
19:The
302:in
261:in
171:at
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