The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has released an investigation report that reveals that Stericycle has been unlawfully disposing of fetal remains from an abortion facility in Austin in violation of the Texas Administrative Code. The abortion facility, Whole Woman’s Health of Austin, was also found to be breaking the law.

The report, released on June 3, undeniably confirms Stericycle’s collection, transportation and incineration of aborted children. It states that while investigating Whole Woman’s Health of Austin:

“It was explained that medical waste is placed in red biohazard bags, then placed into boxes provided by Stericycle. Each fetus resulting from an abortion is placed into a hard plastic container and then into a red biohazard bag. The bag is then placed into a freezer where it is stored. When Stericycle arrives to transport the medical waste, the individual fetuses are removed from the freezer and placed into a large red biohazard bag. The red biohazard bag containing the fetuses is placed into the medical waste box along with other medical waste generated at the facility that requires treatment. According to the facility representatives and the medical waste manifest reviewed, it appears that Stericycle picks up the waste once per week.”

The report then continues:

“On April 14, 2011, I contacted Mr. Joel Barr, Stericycle Austin Autoclave Facility Manager, to inquire about treatment and disposal methods for fetuses. Mr. Barr informed me that medical waste containing fetuses or tissue should be sent for incineration. … On May 5, 2011, I conducted an onsite investigation at the Stericycle Austin Autoclave. Representing Stericycle during the investigation were: Mr. Barr; Mr. John Earnhardt, Regional Operations Manager; and Mark Triplett, Evironmental Manager. … The facility representatives informed me that the boxes of waste containing fetuses and/or tissue should be sent for incineration at the Stericycle incinerator in Apopka, Florida. The facility representatives provided me with a copy of their Regulated Medical Waste Acceptance Policy, which they provide to their customers. The facility representatives informed me that Stericycle’s company policy requires medical waste generators to label boxes containing non-autoclavable medical waste with ‘Incinerate Only’ labels.”

The government then concluded:

“During the investigation, it was determined that all medical waste (including fetuses) generated at the Whole Woman’s Health of Austin is being transported by Stericycle to the Stericycle Austin Autoclave for treatment.”

TCEQ states that the investigation is ongoing and that the Commission’s Enforcement Division will determine what penalties will be imposed. Click here to read the report in its entirety.