Dr. Ulrich Klopfer operated three abortion clinics in Indiana, but the clinics were closed down upon the suspension of his license in 2015. After his passing away on September 3, 2019, his family members discovered that fetal remains were taken from his clinics and placed among his personal items in his house in Illinois residence.
Authorities in charge of the investigation reported finding 2,246 medically preserved fetal remains. These were deemed to have come from the abortion clinics as no evidence showed that any abortion procedure was done at the property.
Indiana Attorney General Hill labeled Dr. Klopfer as a rather notorious abortionist in Indiana possessing a track record of abominable conditions and breaking regulatory controls. His license was suspended in 2015 because he committed a number of state laws violations, for instance, poor record-keeping, non-submission of a report concerning a rape case of a minor who had an abortion procedure and breaking state waiting periods. In 2016, Dr. Klopfer lost his medical license.
The authorities took the fetal remains from the Klopfer’s property and brought them to the Will County coroner’s office. Attorney General Hill affirmed that all the fetal specimens dated 2000 to 2002 were obtained from Dr. Klopfer’s Fort Wayne, Indiana and South Bend, Gary abortion clinics. Authorities in Illinois gave the evidence and information to the Indiana Attorney General Office.
As per Attorney General Curtis Hill, the investigators likewise identified many medical records at Dr. Klopfer’s residence and clinics. The files are now under secured keeping. The attorney generals office is making an effort in notifying all people affected.
There is a legislation in Indiana beginning 2016 that fetal remains from all healthcare establishments must be buried or cremated. The Supreme Court is lobbying this law this year which took effect this September. The HIPAA calls for the constant protection of all medical information to prevent unauthorized access. Though the HIPAA doesn’t follow a medical record retention period, it is required by state laws that medical records be retained for 7 years after their creation. It is currently unclear what laws were broken.