A depiction of the ongoing legal battles surrounding abortion rights in the United States.
A Texas father, Jerry Rodriguez, has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against a California doctor, claiming unlawful distribution of abortion pills that resulted in two pregnancy terminations involving his girlfriend. The case challenges the legality of blue state abortion shield laws and seeks to establish legal standing for fathers in such situations. The lawsuit also accuses the doctor of violating federal and state laws by mailing the abortion pills across state lines. Legal experts believe this case may influence future pro-life litigation efforts across the United States.
Houston, Texas – Jerry Rodriguez, a father from Texas, has filed a landmark wrongful death lawsuit against Remy Coeytaux, a California doctor, alleging illegal distribution of abortion pills that led to the termination of two pregnancies involving his girlfriend, Kendal Garza. The lawsuit was officially filed in federal court in the Southern District of Texas on July 20, 2025, and also includes claims against Garza’s estranged husband, Adam Garza, and her mother for their roles in procuring the abortion pills.
The case is a significant legal test concerning the limits of blue state abortion shield laws that are designed to protect abortion providers from legal consequences when servicing patients from states with strict pro-life regulations. Texas law currently bans abortion except in the case of a medical emergency, which means that women seeking abortions cannot be prosecuted. However, individuals and entities that provide or assist in obtaining abortion services can be legally pursued.
In the lawsuit, Rodriguez claims that Coeytaux unlawfully mailed the abortion pills across state lines on two occasions: September 2024 and January 2025. The suit alleges that Coeytaux violated the Comstock Act, an 18th-century federal law that prohibits the mailing of items used for abortion. Furthermore, Rodriguez’s legal team also contends that Coeytaux’s actions violated Texas Health & Safety laws related to the distribution of abortion-inducing drugs.
Rodriguez, who is represented by pro-life attorney Jonathan Mitchell, known for his influential role in shaping Texas abortion laws including the Heartbeat Bill (SB 8), is seeking damages of at least $75,000 along with an injunction to prevent Coeytaux from continuing to distribute abortion-inducing medications. The lawsuit aims to establish legal standing for fathers of unborn children to sue in cases related to abortion, a relatively untested area in current legal frameworks.
Rodriguez and Garza began their relationship in June 2024, shortly before Garza became pregnant. While initially enthusiastic about the pregnancy, Garza reportedly faced pressure from her estranged husband, Adam Garza, to terminate the pregnancy. Rodriguez discovered that payments for the abortion pills, totaling $150, were made via Venmo, implying a purchase from Coeytaux.
The allegations further indicate that Garza took the pills at two different residences: her mother’s home and Adam’s home in Galveston County. After taking the abortion pills, Garza texted Rodriguez about needing to cut the baby’s umbilical cord and bury it, although she did not disclose where this occurred. Following a subsequent pregnancy in May 2025, Rodriguez expressed concerns over the possibility of Garza facing pressure to terminate once more.
The lawsuit includes allegations of felony murder against Coeytaux, asserting that he knowingly caused the death of the two unborn children. This development underscores the complexities surrounding post-Dobbs abortion litigation and its implications for access to abortion services across state lines.
Legal experts have suggested that this case could serve as a model for future pro-life litigation targeting abortion providers in states with stricter laws. As abortion access continues to be a contentious issue in the United States, cases like Rodriguez’s will likely draw significant attention as they navigate the evolving landscape of reproductive rights and state laws.
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