In re Anonymous

Under Alabama's parental-consent statutes, § 26-21-1 et seq., Ala. Code 1975 ("the Act"), an unemancipated minor must have the permission of her parent or guardian to have an abortion. The Act sets forth the procedure pursuant to which a minor may petition the courts for a waiver of the requirement of parental consent. See § 26-21-4, Ala. Code 1975.

In this case, a minor ("the minor") petitioned a juvenile court ("the juvenile court") for a judgment waiving the requirement of parental consent to allow her to have an abortion. The juvenile court conducted a hearing at which it received ore…