A judge on Friday dismissed the charges against a Vernal teenager who paid a man to beat her and abort her pregnancy.
The dismissal had been expected. Last month, 8th District Juvenile Court Judge Larry Steele released the girl from a detention facility after her new defense attorney argued state law gives immunity to women seeking an abortion.
According to charging documents, the 17-year-old girl asked Aaron Harrison to help her terminate the pregnancy. Harrison brought her to his home in Naples on May 20. Harrison, 21, struck and bit her, leaving bruises on her belly and a bite mark on her neck. The girl paid $150 for the beating, according to charging documents.
The then-7-month-old fetus survived. The teenager gave birth and the child is living with a foster family.
The judge's ruling Friday dismisses charges of solicitation to commit murder. Prosecutors had argued the state's abortion statute did not apply to a beating.
For the beating and unrelated crimes, Harrison was sentenced last month to up to 20 years in prison.
