Woman claims she was fired for refusing abortion

A Virginia woman is suing the restaurant where she worked as a waitress, charging that the owner fired her after she refused to have an abortion. According to the Roanoke Times, seventeen-year-old Abigail Shomo had worked for about four months at Mi Puerto, a restaurant owned by Leopoldo Florez Aguirre Sr., when she became pregnant by Aguirre’s son, Leopoldo Florez Aguirre Jr.

According to the lawsuit, after finding out that Shomo was pregnant, Aguirre Sr. ordered that she be fired, telling her, the lawsuit alleges, that “although he was happy with her work, [she] was pregnant; that in his opinion, customers did not want to see ‘a belly’ on their waitresses; and that customers wanted a slim young waitress.”

The lawsuit charges that upon finding out that his father planned to fire Shomo, the younger Aguirre advised that she abort her baby, even offering to pay for the procedure. Shomo said that she refused to comply, citing her religious beliefs.

Keith Finch, an attorney for the restaurant, called the charges that his client discriminated against Shomo “absolutely false,” telling the Christian Post that the woman has failed to substantiate that his client demanded she have an abortion, or that Aquirre Jr. is actually the father.

Continue reading at thenewamerican.com

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kayo

Further the stance by marrying the father.
- kodster
  
  Who won't marry her, as evidenced by his offering to pay for the abortion. He doesn't want anything to do with her, now. BTW, I thought hispanics were Catholics, in which case, abortion would be totally against their convictions. Or am I profiling here?
  - Jay
    
    I'm Catholic. You are indeed profiling a bit. Not all Hispanics are Catholic, although many are. Irregardless of their religion, the father and his son are reprehensible. The 17 year old woman is also not without fault. She engaged in sex with the son outside the confines of marriage.
    
    If the father and his son are Catholic, they need to go to confession before presenting themselves for Holy Communion. This is also true for the 17 year old girl.
  - guest
    
    There are lousy Catholics just like there are lousy Baptists, Presbyterians, Evangelicals, Episcopalians, Jews (Soros) and any other one you can name. Duh Yeah, I'd say that was profiling.
  - http://msnbc.com bob
    
    Sorry about your "profiling". Christians are not "christians" because they go to church anymore than I am a car because I sit in my garage. People are not of such faith just because of their heritage or ethnicity. I went to Nogales, AZ/Mexico and found a large amount of people who had no faith in any "religious" system. Many were of the Christian faith and many were followers of Catholicism. The onlly real question is "what does it take for one to get to heaven??" Acts 4:12, Romans 3:10,23;6:23;10:9,10, Ephesians 2:8,9
  - Evermyrtle
    
    What difference does it make what her religion is, who the father is, boss;s desires, rules are are dealing with at child's live. Does child die by murder or is child allowed to live. Tome that is what it all boils down to.
    
    Jeremiah 1 4-5
    
    4. Then the WORD OF GOD, came unto me saying,
    5. Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and before, you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet unto the nations..
    
    Every president, every king, every person that has ever been born, was exactly at this point of life that this child is, before being born!.
  - Taquoshi
    
    The full article actually addresses this issue:
    
    Finch also issued a statement to the Christian Post saying that the owners of the restaurant share Shomo’s religious beliefs concerning abortion. “The owners and employees of the Mi Puerto restaurant are of the same Catholic religion and beliefs as Ms. Shomo, and they would never dream of suggesting that she have an abortion,” the statement read.
    
    However, I have to say that I have known many Roman Catholics, my own family among them, that fully support abortion. Point of clarification here, although my family is R.C., I left the Church decades ago over other doctrinal issues, but my family's stance on abortion was also a factor, particularly since I am an adopted child.
    - James C. Harrison
      
      Makes me wonder why so many "Catholic" politicians haven't been excommunicated! Guts are missing somewhere.
      - msjallen
        
        The catholic church wants their money.
      - pcsrocky
        
        Unfortunately, by the doctrine of the Church, if the sinner confesses and performs some penance, forgiveness is granted. We humans do not know what God forgives or when so we should not be condemning people. However, I certainly would like to see Pelosi, Biden and many others excommunicated. I agree with much of the sentiment but understand it is not my judgement they must worry about but the judgement of the One who will judge all.
      - msjallen
        
        Actually, it is the doctrines of the Bible; not the church that tells us what God will forgive. He forgives all sins since Jesus Christ died on the cross for all sins and God the Father judged those sins. He was made sin for us to give us the opportunity to believe in Him for salvation. After salvation, when we sin we acknowledge those sins to God the Father (never any person). See 1 John 1:9, Ps 51:4 etc. The RCC may get rid of their members by excommunicating out of their church but once one is a believer in the Lord they can't lose their salvation because we don't do anything for salvation — Jesus did it all and He said "It is finished". God doesn't accept penance (man's works) or expect someone to punish or to punish ourselves; we confess our sins and continue with more study of God's Word and grow spiritually. The only sin God cannot forgive is not believing in Jesus as ones savior.
      - http://www.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Patton/592034163 Andrew Patton
        
        That is simply not true. Whoever denies Christ (by word or by deed), Christ will deny before the Father. James 5:16 clearly says we are to confess our sins to one another, John 20:23 clearly states the Church has the authority to forgive and retain sin, and James 5:14-15 clearly states that the Anointing of the Sick is efficacious for the forgiveness of sins. And if God does not accept penance, why did Ninevah repent in sackcloth and ashes, and why did God accept it?
  - mesaman
    
    Where I live the clear majority of latinos are JW's. They are very active, family oriented, and far less violent or prone to criminal behavior. I still am opposed to illegal immigrants simply because it forces criminality in these folks. Now if NoMobammie would emigrate to Kenya, I think we could survive.
  - daves
    
    If she is telling the truth and she can prove it then she will probably end up owning the company.
    
    Her religious beliefs won't allow her to have an abortion but they will allow her to have unmarried sex.
  - http://www.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Patton/592034163 Andrew Patton
    
    If he is a Catholic, he stands excommunicated for conspiracy to commit abortion (even though no abortion actually happened, his scandalous intent was sufficient).
- Marsha
  
  I agree the man needs to take the responsibility of a Father, since he Fathered the child. Having an abortion is too easy of a way to get out of the situation.
Publius Enigma

This sounds like the classic "he said / she said". While it is not news, as such, it does seem to confirm that having sex relations with someone who is not your spouse, causes all kinds of problems. Call me old-fashioned if you want, but this advice is tried and true. People are free to try something different (or "progressive") but you reap what you sow.

Say, that expression is old-fashioned, too. How about that!
- Evermyrtle
  
  You are exactly right but the baby was not the one who made this bad decision, the baby never did any wrong, at all, to say nothing to deserve a death sentence.
- Esteban Cafe
  
  You are correct, sir. American has a wonderful court system and your commrades need to let this play out there rather than accepting either sides story. Otherwise, you will have something akin to your Zimmerman/Martin case, which is being tried in your media, following The Lett's Narrative. (cf, OJ Simpson, Tawana Brawley, Duke LaCrosse, etc., fiascos).
  
  Let justice work.
http://twitter.com/Jeanette_Runyon @Jeanette_Runyon

To bad she wasn't "religious" enough to remain chaste until married.
- Evermyrtle
  
  What does religious mean?? I see it all of the time and can't quite figure out what it means. I know what Christian meant, moral, Baptist, Methodist ect. means but the religious get me.
- Disgusted
  
  At least she didn't murder the innocent new little life that she planted within her.
  
  Isn't it nice to know the grandfather of the child wants to murder him/her. What a prince of a guy.
Donna

When will these girls learn. When you lay with these guys and become pregnant, the first thing out of their mouth is…IT's NOT MINE!!!! They feel that you had sex with him, who else did you have sex with. As for her refusing an abortion for her religious beliefs…where were her religious beliefs before she slept with htis guy. Don't get me wrong, I am totally against abortion…but come on girls, you should know all the old things that guys tell you to get you to sleep with him. WAKE UP!!!!
- Evermyrtle
  
  In one respect you are right BUT the girl is only 50% to blame at the most. The guy gets his pleasure by sweet talking the girl and likely make promises, then walks off, free. And yes, I am well aware the girl sometimes is the aggressor, but without fail she e is the one to get caught and gets the blame. What I say is that the girl get some self respect, education in what such acts can bring and the courage to say"No, I thank you, forget it, already!!!"
  
  And don't tell me, they are doing what boys do. I raised a son, too. I told him, it does not make on iota bit of difference if she is a "huzzy" or a "lady" treat her the way you would like have someone to treat your "MOM" or your "SISTER, because you are to take credit for what YOU DO, when you get before GOD. !" Now, my son was one who had great respect for his sister and his Mom and women in general!!!
  
  Maybe we should bring back the chastity belt and protect our girls!!!!!!!,
Nana

dna testing proves who the father is
biggiewmn

I sure hope this young woman has a family that will be there for her. She should just walk away from the restaurant, get a paternity test, and if Junior is the father, then sue for child support. Or, you could give the baby up for adoption, which to me, is an extremely loving and selfless thing to do. The baby would have a mother and a father that would love him/her, and provide a normal family life. You can even choose the parents and could have an open adoption. You remain strong and I commend you for standing by your faith. May God lead you in your decisions.
Paul F

There are many layers in this situation. However, let me state that above all – abortion is ALWAYS wrong!

In this case, there are no "innocent" parties, except for the baby.

In this situation, there is the matter of fornication involved. The woman, obviously, disobeyed God, as well as the father, whomever he may be.

The restaurant owner appears, to me, to be more concerned about the reputation of his son than anything else. His excuse that customers "don't want to see a belly" doesn't fly with me. It also appears that the son is a co-conspirator in the "coverup" attempt.

I admire the mother for her desire to save the life of the baby, but that is the ONLY thing admirable about her. It's obvious that she is not qualified to raise the child properly and that she should give the baby up for adoption.

One can hope that a Christian couple would take the baby and raise him/her to know Christ as their personal Saviour at a very early age.
jorgi

I read so many judgemental statements in these post , the one thing that is for sure is the Lord forgives ! To many times people are quick to judge without looking at there own life .

Mercy and compassion are needed here. It does how ever sound strange to protest abortion for religious beliefs and I 'm against abortion . The important thing was to think about ones salvation before engaging in sex outside of marriage .
We all need to be the good christians we are suppose to be and pray for the girl and boy . The child is innocent the punishment should never be heaped on the baby because of the actions of the parents .
Mercy, Grace and forgiveness seems to be lacking in most self professed christian folks lives today .
when God forgives He does not have to ask our permission . Be merciful not judgemental . Gods grace does over come all sin . I'm grateful for the Lord forgiveness and mercy ,for without His forgivness I'd be no where .
Chris

How does this have anything to do with religion. It's a story about a jerk.
- Nancy Sternberg
  
  Oh my goodness Chris got one right for once!
JDH

The full text of the article indicates they are all catholics at least in name. I have to wonder if the "father's"status as her employer's son didn't have some bearing on the extent of their sexual involvement. A simple paternity test would resolve the isssue ofthe son being the father, and probably clarify the case. Also, historcally in much of latin amerian culture, the concept of "muy macho" where a male proves his prowness by having many sexaul encounters and mistresses outside of wedlock has long been practiced.
- OMA
  
  Why would you assume that they are Catholics? Good Protestant Christians too abhor killing of innocent babies in the mother's womb and make mistakes at times that cannot be undone.
  jorg, above, said not to judge, jet in the next sentence he writes to think about salvation before engaging in sex outside of marriage. Isn't that judgmental?
  Yes, God is very merciful and the girl will be blessed for not compounding her first sin with a larger one of killing.
Devasahayam

The Aguirres should remember the 1997 case which Hunter Tylo filed against Aaron and Lori Spelling–Aaron Spelling had fired Tylo from either 90210 or Melrose Place when she refused to have an abortion (stating that she is a born-again Christian–of course, we can debate on why she was appearing in a nighttime-slop-opera, but…). The Spellings lost the case badly, and the Aguirres deserve to similarly lose!
DEFEATOBAMAIN2012

where was her religious belief when she screwing around to get pregnant?
BevMJ

If he doesn't like bellies on his waitresses, perhaps he should tell his son to keep his zapper zipped. And the girl needs to remember her religious convictions just a bit earlier!
East Texas

How is she supposed to prove that they said this to her? I think the fact that they like the work she did and yet fired her, says it all.
David

Fired for being pregnant and refusing an abortion? You CANNOT force anything on an employee, just like you cannot FORCE someone to obey the law – you can simply impose penalties if they break a law/rule/regualtion/guideline/policy/procedure, etc.. In this case, I think they were way out of line and should pay dearly for it. I have seen pregnant waitresses before and thought nothing of it. The bottom line: any employee has to be able to do the job and I have seen pregnant waitresses perform thier jobs just fine! She should also file an EEO complaint, among other things. This is discrimination/favoritism/unequal treatment – I hope she wins.

I'm not an abortion fanatic but am smart enough to know that if you overturn Roe vs. Wade that abortions will still happen. People break the law all the time.
- Jay
  
  I agree with you David. There are laws against robbing, killing, and rape, but they still happen. I don't believe in Abortion…period.
  
  I also agree with you that there is nothing wrong with a pregnant woman working in a restaurant. I actually love seeing it. It lets me know that there is hope for a new generation. I'll typically give these women a bigger tip just because they are doing what they can for themselves and their family.
  
  The business owner and his son are scum. The 17 year old girl is not very impressive either.
Evelyn

A woman exercises the right to what goes on in her body when she lays with a man. Men will say anything to get what they want, and they often do not want to take responsibility for their actions. When the woman does not want to take that same responsibility, she has the baby killed. This woman should not marry the father of the baby; why marry a man who does not love you but only wanted a quick "fix" for his passion? She should give this baby to a loving MARRIED couple who will raise it with love, and bring it up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Then she should go on with her life, having learned
that you do not lay with a man just to satisfy his desire. She should wait until she is married to someone who loves her.
- Paul F
  
  AMEN!!
- Jay
  
  This is an overly sexualized society which needs to get back to the morals of the '50's and earlier (before my time). Sex outside of marriage, for the very reason which caused this article, is and should be scandalous.
  
  When Sex is considered by people as just a past time or recreational event, situations like Shomo and Aguirre occur and the outcome affects the Child. Keeping sex as an act of Holy Love within the confines of marriage prevents this situation from occurring. Living by God's law, again, saves us from ourselves.
Mr Lucky

You gutless wonder Christens don't have the backbone to stand up for yourselves!!!
- Cravczec
  
  You need to break out those flash cards again.
Cravczec

Easily rectifiable with a DNA test. Then retroactively abort Aquirre Sr. and Jr. (what's good for the goose etc.) and give the girl and her child the restaurant. Done.
Grant

Why do I get the feeling there is more to the story. Something like Paul Harvey; 'and here's the rest of the story……'
Old Kute

DNA can answer the second question. As for the firing, if she was fired because she was pregnant, then it is discrimination. She should not have been fooling around in the first place but, if there was no contractual requirement for her not to be pregnant, then the firing was discriminatory. If there was such a contractual then she would have entered into the job with that knowledge and the firing would have been lawful. I am sure, however, that no such contractual agreement existed.

Back in the "old days" getting pregnant out of wedlock was considered a taboo. Then came the 60's and it has been down hill from there. This is just another sign of the downward spiral of our American value system and as a nation’s value system goes, so goes the nation.
Back in the "old days" getting pregnant out of wedlock was considered a taboo. Then came the 60's and it has been down hill from there. This is just another sign of the downward spiral of our American value system and as a nation’s value system goes, so goes the nation.
Marilyn K. Smith

A woman? Seventeen? In body, maybe. This is a child carrying a child. Can we deny what Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you…go and sin no more." That child is a gift from God and possible will become a great voice for God. Somewhere there is a grandmother who loves it or a grandfather. Somewhere is a teacher, a pastor, a saint who loves this child and the child who carries him or her. The mother has made mistakes, granted…haven't we all? Forgive, people, and step out to support that precious little innocent one. Overcomers: Judge not that ye be not judged for with what judgement you judge YOU shall be judged." God wants no one to miss Heaven.
Dominie

GOOD FOR HER !
Dominie

She REFUSED TO ABORT HER BABY (WHICH CUSTOMERS WOULD NOT HAVE MINDED AT ALL) SHE STOOD HER GROUND, AND SHE HELD THE OWNER AND HIS ATROCIOUS BEHAVIOUR ACCOUNTABLE.! THE RESTARAUNT OWNER WAS WORRIED ABOUT SCANDAL AND HIS OWN EMBARRASSMENT