Black woman has a miscarriage in Ohio and is charged with a felony.

[HomerJS]

Brittany Watts was 22 weeks pregnant, and the fetus passed from her uterus while she was on the toilet. Now Ohio wants to send her to prison.

Brittany being a black woman is germane to the story. Not only because black people are treated more harshly by the criminal justice system but her attorney points out...

Prosecutors practically made Watts out to be a monster, saying she tried to “plunge” the fetus down the drain and left the child floating in the basin while going about her day. However, Watts’ attorneys say she’s being punished for a rather normal occurrence: The Lancet found in a 2021 report Black women had a 43 percent higher risk of miscarrying in comparison to white women.

Republicans are truly heinous.

What?! Black Woman’s Miscarriage Results in Felony Charge

An Ohio woman must go before a grand jury after allegedly trying to flush the remains of the fetus.

www.theroot.com

 

[skyking]

what the fuck?
Not only are they more likely to miscarry, black women have 3x the mortality rate overall.
I was clueless until we attended the national quilt museum and saw this.



The quote above that I did not get a closeup of was how Serena Williams saved her own life. She knew the risks and would not stop until she got the proper treatment.
"“Being heard and appropriately treated was the difference between life or death for me; I know those statistics would be different if the medical establishment listened to every Black woman's experience.”"
Contrast that with that poor young woman in Ohio.

 

[Greenman]

Charged with abuse-of-corpse. So it all hinges on her actions after the miscarriage.
I don't really have an opinion until it's discovered exactly what happened and when.

 

[woolfe9998]

The article is a little confusing because it brings in irrelevant information. It doesn't matter that she's black and that black women have higher rates of miscarriage, because no one disputes that this was a miscarriage. The fetus was not viable. That's why she's being accused of abusing a corpse, not killing a baby. They say that after it came out in the toilet, she tried to flush it and used a plunger. If she did that, she's probably guilty. If not, then not. Miscarriage rates among various demographic groups have nothing to do with it. Those statutes exist in every state BTW.

 

[interchange]

22 weeks is not potentially viable without immediate major medical intervention. A traumatic miscarriage is way different than the circumstances I could imagine felony abuse of corpse statutes were intended to cover.

 

[HomerJS]

The article is a little confusing because it brings in irrelevant information. It doesn't matter that she's black and that black women have higher rates of miscarriage, because no one disputes that this was a miscarriage. The fetus was not viable. That's why she's being accused of abusing a corpse, not killing a baby. They say that after it came out in the toilet, she tried to flush it and used a plunger. If she did that, she's probably guilty. If not, then not. Miscarriage rates among various demographic groups have nothing to do with it. Those statutes exist in every state BTW.

The state is disputing it. Treating as if intentional.

The case was closed on Nov. 2 but was reopened, according to the court docket. Warren Municipal Court Judge Terry Inavchak found probable cause to move the case forward, seeking more experts to confirm at what point something — in this case, the baby — becomes viable

Prosecutors practically made Watts out to be a monster, saying she tried to “plunge” the fetus down the drain and left the child floating in the basin while going about her day.

 

[sdifox]

And what evidence has the state produced for this charge? Other than feels.

 

[skyking]

The article is a little confusing because it brings in irrelevant information. It doesn't matter that she's black and that black women have higher rates of miscarriage, because no one disputes that this was a miscarriage. The fetus was not viable. That's why she's being accused of abusing a corpse, not killing a baby. They say that after it came out in the toilet, she tried to flush it and used a plunger. If she did that, she's probably guilty. If not, then not. Miscarriage rates among various demographic groups have nothing to do with it. Those statutes exist in every state BTW.

you are locked in on the law and missing the intent. The prosecutor is using this law as a tool to punish this "monster" for a really horrible situation.
Just because he can do it is no excuse for being a heartless zombie.

 

[interchange]

The article is a little confusing because it brings in irrelevant information. It doesn't matter that she's black and that black women have higher rates of miscarriage, because no one disputes that this was a miscarriage. The fetus was not viable. That's why she's being accused of abusing a corpse, not killing a baby. They say that after it came out in the toilet, she tried to flush it and used a plunger. If she did that, she's probably guilty. If not, then not. Miscarriage rates among various demographic groups have nothing to do with it. Those statutes exist in every state BTW.

Do you think it's in the interest of justice to prosecute a woman in these circumstances?

Legally, if the fetus was not viable, is it even a corpse to begin with?

 

[ivwshane]

Charged with abuse-of-corpse. So it all hinges on her actions after the miscarriage.
I don't really have an opinion until it's discovered exactly what happened and when.

The article is a little confusing because it brings in irrelevant information. It doesn't matter that she's black and that black women have higher rates of miscarriage, because no one disputes that this was a miscarriage. The fetus was not viable. That's why she's being accused of abusing a corpse, not killing a baby. They say that after it came out in the toilet, she tried to flush it and used a plunger. If she did that, she's probably guilty. If not, then not. Miscarriage rates among various demographic groups have nothing to do with it. Those statutes exist in every state BTW.

Fuck both of you, seriously, fuck you!

22 weeks is not potentially viable without immediate major medical intervention. A traumatic miscarriage is way different than the circumstances I could imagine felony abuse of corpse statutes were intended to cover.

A traumatic miscarriage and these fuckers want to punish women? They can fuck right off on that. Utterly ridiculous!

 

[ivwshane]

Do you think it's in the interest of justice to prosecute a woman in these circumstances?

Legally, if the fetus was not viable, is it even a corpse to begin with?

Piece of shit authoritarians are piece of shit authoritarians. It’s a miscarriage and it’s none of their business what happened nor is it in the states interest to know what happened let alone punish women over such a traumatic event.

 

[woolfe9998]

Fuck both of you, seriously, fuck you!



A traumatic miscarriage and these fuckers want to punish women? They can fuck right off on that. Utterly ridiculous!

I was giving a wholly accurate explanation of what she was charged with and why because the OP and his article are discussing things that are not at all relevant and it was confusing the issue.

If she did do what is alleged, she may have a defense based on her mental state at the time. We'll see how it plays out.

 

[nakedfrog]

Charged with abuse-of-corpse. So it all hinges on her actions after the miscarriage.
I don't really have an opinion until it's discovered exactly what happened and when.

Why, goodness, you're right, upon having had a miscarriage she should have had the presence of mind to FISH HER FUCKING MISCARRIED BABY OUT OF THE TOILET and seek proper disposal. They oughta throw the book at this monster, shame on her, indeed, shame on her. How can society be safe with such a cruel fiend on the loose?

 

[HomerJS]

I was giving a wholly accurate explanation of what she was charged with and why because the OP and his article are discussing things that are not at all relevant and it was confusing the issue.

If she did do what is alleged, she may have a defense based on her mental state at the time. We'll see how it plays out.

It's relevant because of the morality rate amongst black women it is more likely than normal this would occur.

 

[woolfe9998]

It's relevant because of the morality rate amongst black women it is more likely than normal this would occur.

You mean a miscarriage? She's being charged with abusing a corpse, not killing a baby. The prosecution agrees and stipulates that she had a miscarriage. No one is saying otherwise. Hence, citing the coroners report to prove it's a miscarriage: irrelevant. Citing the fact that black women are statistically more prone to miscarriages: also irrelevant. Comparing it to another case where a "native woman" was charged with manslaughter for doing drugs during her pregnancy: totally irrelevant. Your article is trying to politicize the case and is bringing in all kinds of things which are immaterial to do it.

BTW, I doubt she gets more than 6 months, if that, and that's if she's convicted which I doubt.

 

[Dave_5k]

Because republicans in Ohio don't believe in the existence of fetuses, they are babies from conception (or at least starting as at 6 weeks they are people with full independent protection that supersedes all rights of the mother, under Ohio republican view)

 

[sandorski]

She shouldn't be charged. She's had enough already, in fact her actions were probably temporary insanity due to the shock of the event. Charging her is just cruelty.

 

[Sunburn74]

She shouldn't be charged. She's had enough already, in fact her actions were probably temporary insanity due to the shock of the event. Charging her is just cruelty.

Agree fully. The woman's been through enough. Society doesn't win by prosecuting this.

I also think the spirit of the "abuse of a corpse" law doesn't really encompass expelled tissue from uterus.

 

[woolfe9998]

One final note, out of curiosity, I checked the corpse mutilation statute for Ohio, then compared it to the one we have here in CA. CA's is straightforward. It says exactly what you cannot do to a corpse:

A person who willfully mutilates, disinters, removes from the place of interment, or commits an act of sexual penetration on, or has sexual contact with, remains known to be human, without authority of law, is guilty of a felony.

She wouldn't be guilty under that law because what she allegedly did doesn't fit into any of those categories. But the Ohio statute is a little weird.

(A) No person, except as authorized by law, shall treat a human corpse in a way that the person knows would outrage reasonable family sensibilities.

(B) No person, except as authorized by law, shall treat a human corpse in a way that would outrage reasonable community sensibilities.

(C) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of abuse of a corpse, a misdemeanor of the second degree. Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of gross abuse of a corpse, a felony of the fifth degree.

I've seen these kinds of statutes before. It reminds me of obscenities laws. What it means is that if the jury is outraged by the conduct, then you're guilty. If not, then not. Period. Which opens the door for this prosecution, but IMO also means that if a jury is sympathetic in any way, she isn't going to be convicted.

 

[nickqt]

I'll say the quiet part out loud.

If she was white and did the same thing, no one would be reading about it.

Next topic.

 

[Vic]

I'll say the quiet part out loud.

If she was white and did the same thing, no one would be reading about it.

Next topic.

I agree that her race likely helps make her an easier target for malicious prosecution, but OTOH criminalizing natural miscarriages is and always been an unspoken agenda of the "pro-life" movement. And in countries where abortions are outlawed, women are routinely prosecuted for having miscarriages.

 

[Greenman]

Why, goodness, you're right, upon having had a miscarriage she should have had the presence of mind to FISH HER FUCKING MISCARRIED BABY OUT OF THE TOILET and seek proper disposal. They oughta throw the book at this monster, shame on her, indeed, shame on her. How can society be safe with such a cruel fiend on the loose?

I have no idea what happened and neither do you. If she was distraught and confused, that's one thing. If she was just trying to dump a corpse that's a different story. I'll wait until the entire story is made public before jumping on a band wagon.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Maybe I'm just being an anarchist or some shit, but I don't think any woman should be held responsible for anything she does with her dead baby for like at least a day after a miscarriage. Fucking hell people.

 

[nakedfrog]

I have no idea what happened and neither do you. If she was distraught and confused, that's one thing. If she was just trying to dump a corpse that's a different story. I'll wait until the entire story is made public before jumping on a band wagon.

Would you care to expand upon this?

 

[Vic]

I have no idea what happened and neither do you. If she was distraught and confused, that's one thing. If she was just trying to dump a corpse that's a different story. I'll wait until the entire story is made public before jumping on a band wagon.

At what point in fetal development does a woman become required to report a miscarriage to the authorities? And to provide care for the fetus until first responders arrive?
Keep in mind this miscarriage occurred at 22 weeks and a medical professional has already determined that the fetus was non-viable under any circumstances.
So what if the miscarriage had occurred a few weeks earlier? What if it happened before the woman was even aware she was pregnant and the fetus was so undeveloped that the miscarriage was mistaken for an exceptionally heavy period? Should that woman be prosecuted as well if she flushes? Where should we draw the line on this, in your opinion?
Before playing your usual "I have no idea" game maybe you should stop and consider how potentially harmful your ignorance might be.