Ohio Woman Faces Felony Charges for Miscarriage

Despite National Outcry, Prosecutor Insists on Presenting Case to Grand Jury

Brittany Watts, a 33-year-old Black woman from Warren, Ohio, is facing felony charges for having a miscarriage at home, which could result in a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.
Watts sought medical care multiple times at a local Catholic hospital due to complications with her pregnancy, but was told her only option was to induce labor.
After miscarrying at home, Watts was investigated by the police, who were alerted by a nurse at the hospital where she sought post-miscarriage care.
The fetus was confirmed to have died in utero, but local prosecutors have asked a grand jury to consider indicting Watts on charges of felony abuse of a corpse.
Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins stated that he is obligated to present the case to a grand jury, despite national attention and calls for the charges to be dropped.