Black Woman’s Miscarriage Raises Concerns About Treatment of Pregnant Women Post-Dobbs
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A recent incident in which a Black woman was charged with abuse of a corpse after experiencing a miscarriage has ignited a national conversation about the treatment of pregnant women, particularly women of color, following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. Brittany Watts, 33, found herself in a harrowing situation when she began passing blood clots at 21 weeks and 5 days pregnant. After visiting a doctor, she was informed that her water had broken prematurely and her fetus would not survive. Advised to have her labor induced, Watts faced the significant risk of death if she did not, according to records of her case.
National Outrage and Support for Watts
The case of Brittany Watts has sparked outrage across the country and has shed light on the treatment of pregnant women, particularly Black women, in the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision. Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump brought attention to Watts’ situation on social media, and supporters have raised over $100,000 for her legal defense and medical bills through a crowdfunding campaign. The incident has reignited the debate about whether abortion-seekers should face criminal charges, and has highlighted the increasing number of pregnant women who find themselves charged with “crimes against their own pregnancies.”
Disproportionate Impact on Black and Brown Women
Even before the overturning of Roe v. Wade, studies showed that Black women seeking prenatal care were 10 times more likely than white women to have child protective services and law enforcement called on them, even in similar cases. With the removal of federal protection for abortion, legal scholars and experts argue that Black women, who have often been disproportionately targeted, are now the “canaries in the coal mine” for the potential hyper-vigilant policing of all pregnant women by healthcare providers, law enforcers, and courts.
A Dangerous Climate for Pregnant Women
Post-Dobbs, the landscape surrounding the treatment of pregnant women has become increasingly uncertain. District attorneys and prosecutors are eager to demonstrate their commitment to enforcing new legislation, resulting in a “wild, wild West” of legal actions. The impact of this change in climate has pushed healthcare providers to err on the side of caution, potentially putting pregnant women like Brittany Watts in dangerous situations.
A Contentious Legal Battle
In the case of Brittany Watts, the hospital she visited was hesitant to provide immediate care due to legal uncertainties. Watts had been admitted to the Catholic hospital twice that week with vaginal bleeding but left without treatment. Ultimately, she experienced a miscarriage at home, leading to her being charged with abuse of a corpse. The case has raised questions about the legal definition of a fetus, the ambiguity of the abuse-of-corpse statute, and the need for clarity in determining what actions constitute a crime in situations like these.
A Call for Compassion and Understanding
Advocates argue that the treatment of Brittany Watts is unjust and highlights the need for a compassionate and understanding approach when dealing with pregnant women who experience miscarriages. They argue that criminalizing actions taken in the aftermath of a miscarriage is invasive, cruel, and unnecessary. As the case heads to a grand jury, there is hope that the outcome will bring about clarity and set a precedent for how pregnant women are treated in the future.
