Health department ends Planned Parenthood investigation

The Indiana State Department of Health said it closed its investigation of local Planned Parenthood abortion centers this week, finding them to be in compliance with state regulations.

Republican Gov. Mike Pence had called for the investigation earlier this month in the wake of a viral video that raised controversy over harvesting organs for donation from aborted fetuses. Pence said he wanted to make sure Planned Parenthood locations in Indiana were not acting illegally in handling fetal tissue.

"The investigation has concluded there was no evidence of this type of activity at these sites," the Indiana State Department of Health said in a statement.

The local Planned Parenthood affiliate said Indiana centers do not participate in tissue-donation programs. Nationally, the organization said it does not profit from fees associated with organ donation.

Three surgical abortion centers in Indianapolis, Bloomington and Merrillville were found to be in compliance with state regulations and were not cited for any deficiencies, according to state health documents provided by Planned Parenthood.

The Center for Medical Progress, an anti-abortion group, recently released two highly controversial undercover videos of Planned Parenthood employees talking about fetal organ donations.

Call Star reporter Stephanie Wang at (317) 444-6184. Follow her on Twitter: @stephaniewang.