Abortion Doctor Facing Murder Charges In Md. Linked To Florida Clinic Destroyed In Possible Arson
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A suspicious fire destroyed a Florida abortion clinic. WJZ learns the center has ties to a doctor facing murder charges accused of performing illegal abortions here in Maryland.
Adam May has more on the connection between the murder charges and the fire.
The fire appears to be an arson. It comes just a few days after the Maryland abortion murder case made national headlines.
Federal agents searching for the cause of this fire at an abortion clinic in Pensacola uncovered a connection to Dr. Steven Brigham, an abortion provider just indicted on five murder charges in Cecil County last week.
According to Florida state records, the destroyed clinic shares an address with a company associated with Brigham.
In Cecil County, authorities began investigating his Elkton abortion clinic 16 months ago after a patient was dropped off at a hospital, severely bleeding from a botched abortion. When police searched Brigham's clinic for her medical records, they made an alarming discovery in the freezer.
"It contained the fetuses, approximately 35. Some appeared close to full term," said a police official.
The medical examiner determined the fetuses were from 24 weeks up to 36 weeks old, considered viable. It prompted Cecil County's state's attorney to seek murder charges under a law until now only used in homicides involving pregnant women.
Brigham has faced legal troubles before. His license was revoked in New York over other botched abortions.
Many legitimate abortion providers are outraged. In a statement, one says, "For too many years, Dr. Brigham has been allowed to prey on the most vulnerable and voiceless women who are simply seeking access to safe and legal medical care."
Brigham is locked up in a New Jersey jail still awaiting extradition. Meanwhile, there are no suspects in that Florida fire.
Another abortion doctor, Nicola Riley, also faces one charge of murder in connection with the case.
