Becky Bell
Encyclopedia
Rebecca "Becky" Suzanne Bell (August 24, 1971 – September 16, 1988) was an American
teenage girl who died as a result of a back-alley abortion
in 1988. She lived in Indianapolis, Indiana
.
Bell became pregnant
at age 17, but under a state law
in Indiana
, minor
s required parental consent to obtain an abortion
. Said to be unwilling to tell her parents about her pregnancy for fear of disappointing them, or go to court to receive a judicial bypass, Bell sought an illegal abortion. Within a week of the procedure, she became seriously ill and died from a massive infection
.
and pro-life
individuals. Pro-choice groups have used her death to illustrate why parental consent and notification laws are harmful to minors; conversely, pro-life groups have questioned events surrounding her death.
Her parents, Bill and Karen Bell, have since become outspoken opponents of parental consent laws, having lobbied in 23 states by 1991 and appearing on news program
s such as 60 Minutes
. Additionally, Bell's mother submitted an essay
to NARAL
for use in the 1998 book Choices: Women Speak Out About Abortion. The following is an excerpt from her piece:
Some anti-abortion groups have questioned Karen and Bill Bell's account of their daughter's death. One theory is that Becky died of "a fast-acting pneumonia
" and simultaneously miscarried
.
Another suggestion is that Becky was under the influence of drugs
and had miscarried
. In at least one case, it is implied that marijuana use caused her miscarriage and led to her developing the pneumonia listed as her secondary cause of death
. However, there is no conclusive link between Bell's alleged drug use
and the end of her pregnancy; additionally, there is little to no evidence that supports these claims in general. In several cases, Becky's alleged promiscuity
is also mentioned, however, the connection between her death and the number of sexual partner
s is not clear. Some pro-life groups have acknowledged that Becky was pregnant at or around the time of her death. However, others have denied that her death was related to abortion in any way and claim that the "abortion industry" has been misleading the public since that time.
based on Bell's death, which was entitled "Public Law 106: The Becky Bell Story". Dina Spybey
portrayed Becky Bell, Debra Monk
portrayed Karen Bell and Craig Wasson
portrayed Bill Bell.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
teenage girl who died as a result of a back-alley abortion
Unsafe abortion
An unsafe abortion is the termination of an unwanted pregnancy by persons lacking the necessary skills, or in an environment lacking minimal medical standards, or both...
in 1988. She lived in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
.
Bell became pregnant
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
at age 17, but under a state law
State law
In the United States, state law is the law of each separate U.S. state, as passed by the state legislature and adjudicated by state courts. It exists in parallel, and sometimes in conflict with, United States federal law. These disputes are often resolved by the federal courts.-See also:*List of U.S...
in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, minor
Minor (law)
In law, a minor is a person under a certain age — the age of majority — which legally demarcates childhood from adulthood; the age depends upon jurisdiction and application, but is typically 18...
s required parental consent to obtain an abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
. Said to be unwilling to tell her parents about her pregnancy for fear of disappointing them, or go to court to receive a judicial bypass, Bell sought an illegal abortion. Within a week of the procedure, she became seriously ill and died from a massive infection
Infection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
.
Controversy surrounding death
Bell's death has been referenced by many pro-choicePro-choice
Support for the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-choice movement, a sociopolitical movement supporting the ethical view that a woman should have the legal right to elective abortion, meaning the right to terminate her pregnancy....
and pro-life
Pro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
individuals. Pro-choice groups have used her death to illustrate why parental consent and notification laws are harmful to minors; conversely, pro-life groups have questioned events surrounding her death.
Her parents, Bill and Karen Bell, have since become outspoken opponents of parental consent laws, having lobbied in 23 states by 1991 and appearing on news program
News program
A news program, news programme, news show, or newscast is a regularly scheduled radio or television program that reports current events. News is typically reported in a series of individual stories that are presented by one or more anchors...
s such as 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
. Additionally, Bell's mother submitted an essay
Essay
An essay is a piece of writing which is often written from an author's personal point of view. Essays can consist of a number of elements, including: literary criticism, political manifestos, learned arguments, observations of daily life, recollections, and reflections of the author. The definition...
to NARAL
NARAL Pro-Choice America
NARAL Pro-Choice America , formerly the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, then National Abortion Rights Action League, and later National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, is an organization in the United States that engages in political action to oppose...
for use in the 1998 book Choices: Women Speak Out About Abortion. The following is an excerpt from her piece:
Bill and I decided to speak out; we thought we could prevent other girls from dying. We appeared on 60 Minutes. The anti-choice crowd came after us. They followed us. There would be crowds of people with their fetuses in a bottle, and some would say that Becky didn't die the way we said she did. They loosened the lug nuts on our car. In ArkansasArkansasArkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
, they shot a hole in the building where we were speaking. They cared more about a fetusFetusA fetus is a developing mammal or other viviparous vertebrate after the embryonic stage and before birth.In humans, the fetal stage of prenatal development starts at the beginning of the 11th week in gestational age, which is the 9th week after fertilization.-Etymology and spelling variations:The...
than about my daughter. I thought, "I'm not afraid of anybody, because my daughter is dead and you can't hurt me anymore."
People ask me what I would have done if Becky had told me the truth. I would have been mad, and I would have said, "Becky, you just ruined your life. What are the neighbors going to think?" That would have been my first reaction because that's who I am. But then I would have asked her, "Beck, do you want to get married? Have a baby? Have an abortion? What do you want? What can you live with, hon?" We would have worked it out. But I never got the chance.
Some anti-abortion groups have questioned Karen and Bill Bell's account of their daughter's death. One theory is that Becky died of "a fast-acting pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
" and simultaneously miscarried
Miscarriage
Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving independently, generally defined in humans at prior to 20 weeks of gestation...
.
Another suggestion is that Becky was under the influence of drugs
Recreational drug use
Recreational drug use is the use of a drug, usually psychoactive, with the intention of creating or enhancing recreational experience. Such use is controversial, however, often being considered to be also drug abuse, and it is often illegal...
and had miscarried
Miscarriage
Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving independently, generally defined in humans at prior to 20 weeks of gestation...
. In at least one case, it is implied that marijuana use caused her miscarriage and led to her developing the pneumonia listed as her secondary cause of death
Cause of Death
Cause of Death is a 1990 album by American death metal band Obituary. Cause of Death is considered a classic album in the history of death metal. The artwork was done by artist Michael Whelan...
. However, there is no conclusive link between Bell's alleged drug use
Drug abuse
Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, refers to a maladaptive pattern of use of a substance that is not considered dependent. The term "drug abuse" does not exclude dependency, but is otherwise used in a similar manner in nonmedical contexts...
and the end of her pregnancy; additionally, there is little to no evidence that supports these claims in general. In several cases, Becky's alleged promiscuity
Promiscuity
In humans, promiscuity refers to less discriminating casual sex with many sexual partners. The term carries a moral or religious judgement and is viewed in the context of the mainstream social ideal for sexual activity to take place within exclusive committed relationships...
is also mentioned, however, the connection between her death and the number of sexual partner
Sexual partner
Sexual partners are people who engage in sexual activity together. The sexual partners can be of any gender or sexual orientation. The sexual partners may be in a committed relationship, either on an exclusive basis or not, or engage in the sexual activity on a casual basis...
s is not clear. Some pro-life groups have acknowledged that Becky was pregnant at or around the time of her death. However, others have denied that her death was related to abortion in any way and claim that the "abortion industry" has been misleading the public since that time.
Lifestories: Families in Crisis episode
On August 15, 1992, HBO aired an episode of Lifestories: Families in CrisisLifestories: Families in Crisis
Lifestories: Families in Crisis is an American drama television series that premiered on HBO on August 1, 1992.-The show:Lifestories: Families in Crisis deals with major issues involving individuals, mostly teenagers and young adults. The stories usually ended with the real person on which the...
based on Bell's death, which was entitled "Public Law 106: The Becky Bell Story". Dina Spybey
Dina Spybey
Dina Spybey is an American actress, known as Dina Waters since her 2000 wedding to director Mark Waters. She has appeared in more than 20 films, including John Q., subUrbia and The Haunted Mansion. She is perhaps best known for her role as Tracy Montrose Blair on the first season of Six Feet Under...
portrayed Becky Bell, Debra Monk
Debra Monk
Debra Monk is an American actress, singer, and writer.Monk was born in Middletown, Ohio. She was voted "best personality" by the graduating class at Wheaton High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. She graduated from Frostburg State University in 1963...
portrayed Karen Bell and Craig Wasson
Craig Wasson
-Career:Wasson's first feature film was the 1977 suspense thriller Rollercoaster. In 1978, he appeared in two films about the Vietnam war: first as a private in The Boys in Company C and then as a corporal in Go Tell the Spartans. In 1982, he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of...
portrayed Bill Bell.
See also
- Abortion in the United StatesAbortion in the United StatesAbortion in the United States has been legal in every state since the United States Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, on January 22, 1973...
- Susannah LattinSusannah LattinSusannah Lattin was an American woman who died of a postpartum infection at an illegal abortion clinic at 6 Amity Place in New York City, operated by Henry Dyer Grindle...
died of post-partum complications in 1868. - Gerri SantoroGerri SantoroGeraldine "Gerri" Santoro was an American woman who died because of a illegal abortion in 1964. A photograph of her after death, published in 1973, became a symbol of the pro-choice movement.-Biography:...
died of an unsafe abortion in 1964. - Unsafe abortionUnsafe abortionAn unsafe abortion is the termination of an unwanted pregnancy by persons lacking the necessary skills, or in an environment lacking minimal medical standards, or both...
External links
- Feminist Majority Archive (Pro-choice)
- National Abortion Federation: Patient Stories: Parental Involvement (Pro-choice)
- IMDb: Lifestories: Families in Crisis (Becky Bell episode)
- A Tale of Two Abortions (Pro-life)
- Becky Bell:A Mother's Story (Pro-choice)