Sickening article...

[Sam Slater]

Just read this story in disbelief. This isn't downtown Tehran or a backward village in the Tora Bora mountains. This is America 2011:

I can only think that such laws are accepted where the religious form the majority.

[andy at handiwork]

To be fair, it's where certain mind-sets prevail, rather than merely the religious. I've no doubt the good folk of say Connecticut are quite religious, but would be probably unlikely to enact such measures. Sadly for us in the UK, similar god-botherers are getting more influential , even being invited on to 'faith-based' advisory panels for Government initiatives.

[mrmcfister]

Bible belt Mississippi ,the poorest state.Religeous nutcases.Banned same sex marriages by the biggest majority.While I agree that feckless mothers are to be despised the paradox here is that she could have had an abortion and not find herself facing jail.A total nonsense but when the church interfere these ridiculous situations will arise.

[David Johnson]

Aye up Sam, I hope you are well!

It's interesting that a state in a country where there is still not comprehensive health care, makes it the responsibility of the woman as to whether the foetus survives or not. One of the women concerned had a coke habit although there was no proof that that was a factor in her baby's death. She has been charged with "depraved heart murder".

Pregnant British holidaymakers in the States having a wee drink, beware!

Cheers
D

[andy at handiwork]

I think that a lot of bars in the US will refuse to serve alcohol to clearly pregnant women.

[Ned]

Playing Devil's Advocate for a minute, I can see the logic behind the thinking in SOME cases like this, such as the attempted suicide that resulted in the death of an unborn. If you do something like that and you survive, but your child dies, I can understand the thought process that considers a charge of murder later (or at least manslaughter)

Not to say I agree with it at all, but if someone does something like that which directly ends with the unborn child losing its life, I can get my head around why the authorities might proceed with charges.

The cocaine one is a different thing.

[David Johnson]

Pregnant holidaymaker goes into a store and buys some booze. One drink wont hurt! Only when she gets back to the hotel, one drink leads to another. Totally unconnected, she starts feeling ill. Goes to hospital. Loses the baby. Gets breathlysed.

Next step, "depraved heart" murder charge.

Cheers
D