Supporting Purvi Patel

Patel, an Indian American woman from Indiana, was incarcerated in 2015 when the state charged her with feticide and neglect of a dependent after she had a negative pregnancy outcome outside of a medical setting. The Indiana Court of Appeals overturned her conviction, ruling that the General Assembly never intended to criminalize women who have abortions. Patel was released from prison on September 1, 2016.

Purvi Patel’s case is a tragic example of the stigma around abortion, especially the additional barriers faced by women of color, low-income people, and other marginalized communities. NAPAWF has continued to fight against restrictive abortion bans.