In the wake of stricter abortion restrictions across the nation, a woman in Ohio faces charges of corpse desecration following a miscarriage
Headlines scream the arrest of Brittany Watts, 33, from Warren, accused of abusing a corpse in Trumbull County, Ohio.
Watts' defense attorney, Traci Timko, shared with CNN, "Multiple Sclerosis. Watts suffered a tragic and dangerous miscarriage, putting her life at risk. Instead of focusing on her physical and emotional recovery, she was arrested and charged with a crime."
"Watts' case is currently pending before the Trumbull County Grand Jury. I suggest she remain quiet about the matter until the legal process is completed," Timko added.
Watts' ordeal serves as an example of the extent to which prosecutors can bring charges against women who terminate their pregnancies, including through miscarriage or stillbirth, despite pathology reports stating the fetus was not viable.
Following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe vs. Wade last year, state trigger laws have rolled out nationwide, introducing various restrictions or bans on abortions. In response, some women delivering non-viable fetuses have been denied medical abortions in their home countries, and others who face potentially life-threatening pregnancies have been unable to secure the procedure due to vague medical exceptions and fear of severe legal repercussions.
Addressing whether the charges against Watts are connected to the Supreme Court's abolition of Roe vs. Wade, Watts' attorney, Wade, stated, "[The charges] stem from a lack of knowledge and/or understanding from men regarding the reality of abortion and women’s health."
"I don't believe the question of fetal personhood is an issue they are considering or find relevant. I believe this case underscores the need for education and illustrates the breadth of the fetal personhood debate in relation to abortion," said Timko.
When asked for comment, a Trumbull County District Attorney declined, citing confidentiality requirements in Ohio's grand jury proceedings. Watts' attorney also did not respond to CNN's request for comment on why Watts may have been discharged from the hospital against medical advice.
Menstrual bleeding and timeline
According to a Trumbull County pathology report, Watts received hospital treatment three times within four days due to vaginal bleeding.
Upon her first hospital visit to St. Joseph's Hospital on September 19th, "a premature rupture of the membranes and severe oligohydramnion was diagnosed," as per the report. In simpler terms, Watts' amniotic sac burst prematurely, and her amniotic fluid volume was alarmingly low (if it existed at all).
Even though a fetal heartbeat was detected, medical staff recommended inducing labor for the non-viable fetus.
At this moment, Watts was 21 weeks and 5 days pregnant, as per the report. In Ohio, abortions are legal up to the point of fetal viability, typically between 22 to 24 weeks. Once viability is achieved, the state may impose legal restrictions on abortion as long as the mother's life or health is at risk.
Watts signed a discharge agreement against medical advice on September 19th, according to the report. CNN reached out to her attorney for clarification on why Watts may have defied her doctors' recommendations but did not receive a response.
The following day, September 20th, Watts returned with the same issue and again defied the medical staff's advice, as reported.
Watts left the hospital on September 20th and it was expected that her labor would begin prematurely, reported The Washington Post. However, medical professionals and law enforcement officers spent hours deliberating over the best course of action for a woman with premature ruptured membranes, no amniotic fluid, vaginal bleeding, and a swollen uterus. Eventually, Watts departed.
Upon her return on September 22nd, Watts reported vaginal bleeding and retained placenta following a home birth, according to the report. "Watts stated that she placed the fetus into the toilet bowl of her apartment at around 5:58 a.m. . . .," the report continued.
Warren police and pathology teams visited Watts' home
The St. Joseph's Hospital staff notified the Warren Police Department of the situation, prompting their response. CNN requested comment from St. Joseph's Hospital on why they contacted the police but received no response.
According to the report, Watts informed the police she had removed the fetus from the toilet and deposited it in a black garbage can. She then led police to the area in the backyard near the garage where she had reportedly disposed of the remains.
A Gerichtsmediziner reaktivierte sich ebenfalls an Ort und Stelle. "In the area of the garage, next to a large garbage can, there was a pile of paper towels, blood, and what appeared to be wads of paper towels in the weeds," Alaina Jamison, the Garbstromanalyse-Ermittlerin, schrieb in ihrem Bericht.
Warren-Ermittler wurden gerufen, um die Tatortuntersuchung durchzuführen, fanden die Toilette im Erdgeschoss voll von Blut, Blutgerinnsel und Gewebe, heißt es in dem Bericht. "Als ich in die Toilette hinzuschaute, war sie voll von Wasser, Blut, Blutgerinnsel und Gewebe."
Der Gerichtsmediziner untersuchte das Innere der Toilette und "fühlte etwas, das wie ein kleiner Fuß mit Zehen aussah," heißt es im Bericht des Ermittlers. Warren-Ermittler zogen später die Toilette ab und "der Fötus wurde geborgen," heißt es im Bericht. Die Autopsie ergab, dass die Ursache des Todes ein intrauteriner fetaler Tod war, also der Tod eines Fötus im Mutterleib aufgrund eines vorzeitigen Blasensprungs, der zu einem schweren Mangel an Fruchtwasser führte.
In den USA kommt es jedes Jahr bei ca. 21.000 Schwangerschaften zu Totgeburten, also einer von 175 Schwangerschaften. Eine vorzeitige Fehlgeburt tritt am häufigsten im ersten Trimester auf, oft bevor eine Frau weiß, dass sie schwanger ist. Eine spontane Fehlgeburt mitten in der Schwangerschaft kommt selten vor und wird oft als Totgeburt bezeichnet.
Umstandslose Bestattung hängt von "Empfinden" ab
Die Definition des Leichenmissbrauchs durch das Ohio-Gesetz ist etwas subjektiv. Im Gesetz heißt es:"Wenn dies nicht eingesetzt ist, darf kein Mensch seine Verfügungsgewalt über einen menschlichen Leichnam in einer Art anwenden, die bewusst gegen sinnvolles Familiengefühl verstößt." Diese Art von "Leichenmissbrauch" ist ein Vergehen zweiten Grades. Darüber hinaus heißt es im Gesetz:"Wenn dies nicht eingesetzt ist, darf kein Mensch seine Verfügungsgewalt über einen menschlichen Leichnam in einer Art anwenden, die die sinnvollen Empfindlichkeiten der Gemeinschaft verletzt." Ein Verstoß gegen diese Bestimmungen stellt "schweren Missbrauch einer Leiche" dar - eine Straftat fünften Grades.
Es gibt kein Gesetz in Ohio, das die Bestattung oder Einäscherung der sterblichen Überreste einer Mutter nach einer Fehlgeburt vorschreibt.
"Frauen haben jeden Tag im Badezimmer Fehlgeburten," schrieb Timko in einer E-Mail an CNN. "Wirklich gewährte die Gesetzgebung von Ohio Frauen weitgehende Immunität für ihre Handlungen oder Unterlassungen während der Schwangerschaft und warnte davor, dass Frauen „unter keinen Umständen“ für die Umstände oder Ergebnisse ihrer Schwangerschaft kriminalisiert werden sollten."
"Die Strafverfolgung gegen Frau Watts ist tragisch und ungerecht," schrieb sie. „Wir werden weiter kämpfen.“
Dies ist eine sich entwickelnde Geschichte und wird aktualisiert.
Deidre McPhillips und Whitney Wild von CNN haben zu diesem Bericht beigetragen.
Additional Insights:
- The Ohio Revised Code law requires the cremation or burial of miscarried or stillborn fetal and embryonic remains from surgical abortions. However, a judge blocked this law in February 2023, deeming it a violation of Ohio's constitutional amendment on the right to an abortion.
- The definition of "corpse" in the Ohio statute about corpse abuse does not explicitly include fetal remains, creating ambiguity in its application. This ambiguity has led to various interpretations, causing controversy and possible misapplications of the law.
- Hospital staff, as mandated reporters, are required to report any suspected abuse or crime to authorities. When such a situation arises, law enforcement agencies are then responsible for investigating the claims of abuse. The process can lead to an increased risk of miscarriages being criminalized instead of treated as medical issues.
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