A depiction of the ongoing legal battles surrounding abortion rights in the United States.
Houston, Texas, August 1, 2025
A Texas father, Jerry Rodriguez, has filed a landmark wrongful death lawsuit against a California doctor, alleging illegal mailing of abortion pills that resulted in terminating two pregnancies of his girlfriend, Kendal Garza. The case challenges existing abortion shield laws and seeks to set legal precedent for fathers in abortion-related lawsuits. The lawsuit also implicates Garza’s estranged husband and mother, raising significant questions about interstate abortion access and legal rights concerning reproductive choices.
Houston, Texas – Jerry Rodriguez, a Texas father, has initiated a landmark wrongful death lawsuit against California doctor Remy Coeytaux, claiming illegal mailing of abortion pills led to the termination of two pregnancies belonging to his girlfriend, Kendal Garza. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in the Southern District of Texas on July 20, 2025, and includes claims against Garza’s estranged husband, Adam Garza, and her mother, alleging their involvement in procuring the abortion pills.
This case is a vital test of the legal limits of blue state abortion shield laws designed to protect abortion providers from repercussions when serving patients from states with stricter pro-life regulations. Texas law currently prohibits abortion except in situations involving a medical emergency, and while women who undergo abortions cannot face legal action, those who facilitate or provide the services can.
Rodriguez alleges that Coeytaux shipped abortion pills across state lines in September 2024 and January 2025, confronting the Comstock Act, an 18th-century federal law that prohibits mailing items intended for abortion use. Rodriguez claims that Coeytaux was aware the medications were meant for inducing abortions and violated Texas Health & Safety statutes concerning the distribution of abortion drugs.
Seeks damages in a legal move that could resonate nationally, Rodriguez is seeking at least $75,000 in damages alongside an injunction aimed at barring Coeytaux from distributing abortion-inducing medications. The lawsuit is also noteworthy for its goal of establishing legal standing for fathers of unborn children to pursue lawsuits related to abortion.
The background of the case reveals that Rodriguez began his relationship with Garza in June 2024, leading to her pregnancy shortly thereafter. Initially supportive, Garza succumbed to pressure from her estranged husband, Adam Garza, to terminate the pregnancy. Payments totaling $150 for the abortion pills were reportedly completed through Venmo, indicating a transaction with Coeytaux.
Reports indicate that Kendal Garza took the pills under duress from both Adam Garza and her mother, leading to the two separate abortions occurring in different locations, including her residence and Adam Garza’s home in Galveston County. Following the procedure, Kendal expressed distress to Rodriguez about needing to cut the baby’s umbilical cord and bury it, although she did not reveal the burial site. The case has evolved following a third pregnancy for Kendal, which began in May 2025, raising concerns for Rodriguez about further coercion to terminate another potential child.
The lawsuit alleges felony murder against Coeytaux, positing that he knowingly caused the death of two unborn children. Legal experts view this lawsuit as emblematic of the intricate post-Dobbs litigation landscape surrounding abortion, particularly highlighting its implications for interstate access to abortion services. As such, it may serve as a model for future pro-life lawsuits targeting abortion providers operating in states with stringent abortion regulations.
This case may set significant legal precedents regarding the authority of fathers in abortion-related lawsuits, as well as the applicability of abortion regulations across state lines, further complicating the current landscape of reproductive rights in America.
The primary allegation is that California doctor Remy Coeytaux illegally mailed abortion pills to Kendal Garza, resulting in the wrongful death of two unborn children.
The lawsuit cites the Comstock Act, which prohibits mailing items used for abortion, and Texas Health & Safety laws regarding abortion drug distribution.
Rodriguez is seeking at least $75,000 in damages and an injunction to prevent Coeytaux from distributing abortion-inducing drugs.
This case represents a crucial test of the legal boundaries of abortion laws, particularly concerning roles of fathers and interstate abortion access.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Filed By | Jerry Rodriguez |
| Defendant | Dr. Remy Coeytaux |
| Additional Defendants | Adam Garza (estranged husband); Kendal Garza’s mother |
| Claim Type | Wrongful death |
| Court Jurisdiction | Federal Court, Southern District of Texas |
| Legal Implication | Challenge to abortion shield laws |
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