Who was Christin A. Gilbert?

Christin Alysabeth Gilbert was born on May 30, 1985 in Austin, Texas, but spent most of her life in the small Texas town of Keller. Christin had Down Syndrome, but that did not stop her from embracing life and living it to the fullest. Christin was raised by her family, which consisted of her mother, father, and sister.

Christin became involved in sports early in her life to help her meet people and make friends. She became very active in the Special Olympics and participated proudly for ten years. In 2003, she won the gold medal in the softball throw.

Christin graduated from the Special Education Program of Keller High School in 2004. While in high school, Christin became the inspirational member of the girl’s softball team, serving as their batgirl. Team members were never allowed to get down during a tough game because Christin would meet them at the dugout with hugs, telling them that she loved them. This kept spirits high and eventually her team won a state championship, something of which Christin and her family were especially proud.

In life, Christin was a joy to be around, and to be near her made one the recipient of her many hugs. She was the center of attention when she walked into a room because of her outgoing and loving spirit.

Christin was loved by all who knew her and her death has left a void in the lives of her family and community. Christin was buried on January 21, 2005, after a private funeral service held in her hometown. In her obituary, Christin was called "one of God’s angels." In April, 2005, the Keller Special Olympics was dedicated to her memory.

Tragically, sometime in 2004, Christin was sexually assaulted. As a result, Christin became pregnant. On January 10, 2005, Christin was brought by her family to Women’s Health Care Services for a third-trimester abortion in her 28th week of pregnancy. There her baby received a fatal digoxin injection to the heart and she was prepared for labor and delivery of her dead child.

Christin was sent to her hotel. The following day, January 11, Christin was taken back to WHCS where the abortion was resumed and a D & C performed. She was again sent back to her hotel, which doubled as both labor and recovery room for Tiller’s abortion business. This hotel was not equipped to handle the life-threatening complications that may result from dangerous third-trimester abortions. There, Christin’s condition began to worsen.

She returned once again to WHCS on January 12, and was diagnosed with "dehydration" although the sepsis was already spreading rapidly through her body. She was given intravenous fluids and sent back to her hotel.

By now, Christin was in serious trouble. She had episodes of vomiting and unconsciousness. According to one physician who reviewed the autopsy report, aspiration of vomitus was the likely cause of her acute bronchopneumonia mentioned in the autopsy report.

Instead of taking her to the hospital, Christin’s family once again took her to WHCS where, according to the autopsy report, "she became unresponsive."

At 8:48 AM on Thursday, January 13, a 911 call was placed by Tiller employee Marguerite Reed, who was evasive with the dispatcher and placed him on hold for 45 critical seconds while she inquired about how much she should tell him. Reed pleaded with the 911 dispatcher, "Please, please, please! No lights, no sirens!" Reed clearly downplayed the true nature of Christin’s rapidly deteriorating condition. Sensing no urgency, emergency responders arrived on the scene at 8:57 AM, a full nine minutes after the call was placed.

Upon arrival, the ambulance crew spent 15 minutes treating Christin’s dire condition, which included cessation of respiration and cardiac arrest, from which she was resuscitated. At 9:14 AM, Christin was transported via ambulance with all haste to Wesley Medical Center’s Emergency Room, and arrived at 9:18 AM after a four minute ambulance ride. Pro-lifers photographed the ambulance and George Tiller’s arrival at the ER.

Once at Wesley Medical Center, the autopsy report showed evidence that the emergency team who treated Christin worked aggressively to save her life, but it was too late. Huge amounts of antibiotics were pumped into her failing body, but to no avail. Because the sepsis was not treated in time, Gilbert suffered from systemic organ failure. All the blood vessels in her reproductive organs were clotted.

Christin was given pain medication, but little else could be done. She was pronounced dead at 4:14 PM, January 13, 2005.

Christin’s unclothed body, with medical implements that had been used in an attempt to save her life still attached, was sent to the Sedgwick County Regional Science Center on January 14 for autopsy. Seven months and ten days later, the report was released to the public with evidence of her botched abortion.

View more photos and documents

Where is the outrage?

KSBHA Cover-Up: A complaint against George Tiller was filed on January 26, 2005, with the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts by one of the women who witnessed Christin as she was rushed into the Wesley Medical Center Emergency Room. After months and thousands of phone calls and e-mails from a concerned public demanding action against Tiller, the KSBHA notified the complaintant on November 23, 2005, that the Board had concluded that there was no violation of the healing arts act in the death of Christin Gilbert and the case against Tiller is now closed.

Media Blackout: In spite of the overwhelming documentation in this abortion death, press conferences and press releases have garnered little attention from the media. Reporters have indicated – off the record — that promised stories have been cancelled by editors and producers.  Only once the KSBHA closed the case against Tiller, did Christin's death receive any substantial coverage.

No Sedgwick County Investigation: A Grand Jury was convened in Tarrant County, Texas, to investigate crimes committed against Christin in the State of Texas, including felony sexual assault. However, that Grand Jury has no authority to investigate crimes committed against Christin in the State of Kansas. There is currently no investigations underway in Sedgwick County into crimes that may have been committed against Christin here.

Home