Update 2:20 p.m.: Austin police continue to investigate suspicious envelopes that were taped to the door of a North Austin women's clinic this morning, though they say the envelopes posed no threat.
A similar package was taped to the door of the Whole Women’s Health Clinic in San Antonio this morning, a clinic spokeswoman in Austin said, though San Antonio police said they did not receive any calls to the clinic.
“We take these matters very, very seriously,” said Fatimah Gifford, director of public relations for the Women’s Health Clinic.
Whole Women’s Health Clinic was founded in 2003 and provides birth control, family planning, gynecology, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and abortions, among other services.
The Austin clinic is located at 8401 N. Interstate 35 just north of U.S. 183. There are several other locations in Texas and also in Baltimore and Minneapolis.
Update 11:30 a.m.: Austin police have given the all-clear after searching the Whole Women's Health Clinic, where suspicious envelopes were found taped to the front door.
The facility, which provides abortions among other services, had been evacuated, and patient appointments were held up for about four hours as police and hazardous-materials crews investigated, CEO and President Amy Miller said.
Court documents were found in the envelopes, which contained the identity of a possible suspect, Miller said, though police have not released any names.
“The police chief actually said (we’ll) go after whoever put it on our door, because it’s obvious whenever you do something like that to a clinic who provides abortions, it becomes a real security issue,”Miller said.
The initial call came in about 7:40 a.m., and officers requested the HazMat team about an hour later, a police official said. Police gave the all-clear about 10:45.
Update 10:40 a.m.: Police have determined that envelopes taped to the door of a North Austin women's health clinic did not contain any suspicious substances, an official said.
Update 10:30 a.m.: Envelopes found on the door of a North Austin women's health clinic are being X-rayed to determine whether they contain any suspicious substances, a police official said.
Earlier: A suspicious package was found this morning at a North Austin women's health care clinic that also performs abortions, police said.
Paperwork was attached to the door of the Whole Women’s Health Clinic on Interstate 35 just north of U.S. 183 that a police official said was suspicious.
The Austin Fire Department is assisting Austin police at the scene, a police official said.
Officials had no other immediate information.
Clinic officials have not returned a phone call from the American-Statesman.
About the Author
