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February 5, 2015

Indiana Woman Faces Up to 70 Years in Prison for What She Says Was a Miscarriage 
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In Indiana, a jury has convicted a woman of feticide and felony neglect
following what she says was a miscarriage. Purvi Patel was convicted of
taking drugs to induce an abortion, even though no drugs were found in
her system. She says she miscarried and disposed of her dead fetus in a
dumpster. A state pathologist used a scientifically contested "float
test" to claim Patel's fetus was born alive, while a defense expert said
the fetus wasn't viable. The charges appear mutually exclusive, since
feticide applies to a fetus which dies in the womb, while felony neglect
applies to live children. But Patel was convicted of both. She faces up
to 70 years in prison. Reproductive health advocates say her case is
part of an increasing criminalization of pregnant women.

 

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