Consider This from NPR Criminal Prosecution Of Pregnancy Loss Expected To Increase Post-Roe
Jul 2, 2022
In this discussion, Dana Sussman, the Acting Executive Director for National Advocates for Pregnant Women, sheds light on the alarming rise of criminal prosecutions for pregnancy loss in a post-Roe America. She highlights how laws meant to protect pregnant individuals are being misused against them, particularly in cases linked to drug use. Sussman shares real-life examples and emphasizes the distressing impact on over 1,300 women who have faced legal repercussions. The conversation underscores systemic vulnerabilities and the future implications of fetal personhood laws.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Brittany Pula Case
- Brittany Pula, a 19-year-old Native American, suffered a miscarriage and was charged with manslaughter.
- Despite inconclusive evidence on the cause of the miscarriage, she was sentenced to four years for admitting to meth and marijuana use.
Chelsea Becker and Perez Cases
- Chelsea Becker, charged with murder after a stillbirth, was jailed for 16 months before charges were dropped.
- A similar case, Perez, resulted in an 11-year sentence, later deemed unconstitutional, for feticide.
Misapplication of Laws
- Laws intended to protect pregnant individuals are being misused to prosecute them for pregnancy loss, even for reckless driving leading to miscarriage.
- The science doesn't support the claim that drug use always causes pregnancy loss, and healthy births are common.