By KORIE WILKINS • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER •
Officials are investigating the improper disposal of fetal matter, bloody surgical pads and medical records in a Dumpster outside a Lathrup Village abortion clinic.
The medical waste was removed from the Dumpster outside the WomanCare clinic on Southfield Road by a licensed hazardous waste hauler, said Sgt. Vincent Lynch of the Lathrup Village Police Department. The Dumpster was searched this morning after a complaint by an anti-abortion group last week, he said.
Attempts to reach officials at the clinic were unsuccessful.
Monica Migliorino Miller, of the Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, said starting on Feb. 8, group members began a 40-day prayer vigil at the clinic. Some members decided to check the Dumpster and found the fetal matter, medical waste and records - including patients' names and addresses.
"It was quite a lot of stuff," Miller said.
Lynch said Lathrup Village will investigate the improperly disposed medical records. He said the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will investigate the medical waste.
State officials did not immediately return a call seeking comment.