Louisiana Seeks California Doctor's Extradition, Testing the Limits of Shield Laws

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Source: MedPage Today

Original: https://www.medpagetoday.com/obgyn/abortion/119420...

Published: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:49:16 -0500

Louisiana is seeking the extradition of California doctor Rémy Coeytaux, accused of mailing abortion pills to the state.[1][2] State Attorney General Liz Murrill has issued a warrant for the felony drug abortion in St. Louis County. Tammany.[2] A doctor in Healdsburg, California sent the drugs to a Louisiana woman who ordered them online after discovering she was pregnant in 2023.[2] This is the second time Louisiana has sought the prosecution and extradition of an out-of-state doctor for prescribing abortion pills; last year it was a doctor from New York Margaret Carpenter.[1] California Governor Gavin Newsom's office said no formal extradition request had been received and the state was protecting patients and doctors.[2] Legal experts such as Mary Ziegler of UC Davis call the extradition a difficult tool to enforce anti-abortion laws.[2] The Center for Reproductive Rights represents the doctor in civil lawsuits.[2]