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December 18, 2023

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