cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/6666536
(CNN) — An Ohio woman who had sought treatment at a hospital before suffering a miscarriage and passing her nonviable fetus in her bathroom now faces a criminal charge, her attorney told CNN.
Brittany Watts, 33, of Warren, has been charged with felony abuse of a corpse, Trumbull County court records show.
“Ms. Watts suffered a tragic and dangerous miscarriage that jeopardized her own life. Rather than focusing on healing physically and emotionally, she was arrested and charged with a felony,” her attorney, Traci Timko, told CNN in an email.
“Ms. Watts’ case is pending before the Trumbull County Grand Jury. I have advised her not to speak publicly until the criminal matter has resolved.”
Though a coroner’s office report said the fetus was not viable and had died in the womb, Watts’ case highlights the extent to which prosecutors can charge a woman whose pregnancy has ended – whether by abortion or miscarriage.
. . .
Maybe she just didn’t want an outrageous hospital bill.
Also note that they were debating inducing labor instead of just doing a regular abortion. It looks to me like this ethical debate is because the medically indicated abortion is illegal and thus they have to consider alternative means to the same goal. I’m not certain, but I also don’t have another explanation.
At any rate, it was politicized by the folks charging her for flushing away discharge.