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Ohio Prosecutors Charge Black Woman with “Felony Abuse of a Corpse” After Miscarriage

HeadlineDec 18, 2023

In Ohio, prosecutors have criminally charged a woman for having a miscarriage at home, sparking widespread outrage. Brittany Watts, a Black woman, was told by her doctor that her 21-week pregnancy was nonviable. Although abortion is legal in Ohio until 22 weeks, Watts was not able to have her labor induced over hospital concerns about potential legal issues. She had a miscarriage at home in her bathroom. After the miscarriage, Watts became ill and was treated in the hospital, where a nurse called the police after Watts told her she had to dispose of the contents of her miscarriage. Brittany Watts, who was still sick and grieving the loss of her pregnancy, was questioned by a police officer in her hospital room. Two weeks later, Ohio authorities charged Watts with felony abuse of a corpse, which carries a possible sentence of a year in prison.

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