Court Vetoes Abortion Order For Mentally Ill Woman

The Massachusetts Appeals Court has overturned a judge's ruling ordering a mentally ill woman to have an abortion and then be sterilized.

The court said the woman had described herself as "very Catholic" and made it clear she did not want an abortion.

A family court judge ruled earlier that the woman - who has schizophrenia and bipolar disorder - was not competent to make a decision about whether to get an abortion.

The judge found that the woman would choose to end her pregnancy if she were competent and appointed her parents as guardians. The judge also ordered that the woman be sterilized at the same time.

The Appeals Court reversed the order, saying no one had requested it and the judge "appears to have simply produced the requirement out of thin air."