More women are charged with pregnancy-related crimes

A recent study by Pregnancy Justice found that criminal charges related to pregnancy have increased since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The study identified at least 210 cases in the year following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling, marking the highest number of such cases in any 12-month period since 1973. Most of the charges involved allegations of child abuse, neglect, or endangerment, often linked to substance use during pregnancy, with the fetus listed as the victim. The study notes that the rise in cases is not due to violations of abortion bans, as only one case involved a direct abortion-related charge. The majority of cases were concentrated in Alabama and Oklahoma, states where courts have granted legal rights to fetuses and embryos. Advocacy groups argue that the criminalization of pregnancy-related issues can discourage women from seeking medical care, leading to tragic outcomes.

Source: AP News