Overview

• Prosecutor Tom Truman told CNN that women who handle fetal tissue after miscarriages could face charges under West Virginia’s human remains disposal statutes.
• Truman said he personally would not pursue miscarriage prosecutions but issued his warning after reviewing state laws and consulting fellow prosecutors.
• The caution follows the 2022 Unborn Child Protection Act, which bans nearly all abortions and leaves fetal remains regulations undefined.
• Legal advocates warn that fear of prosecution may deter women from seeking medical care for pregnancy complications.
• Other states, including Ohio and Texas, have used similar statutes to prosecute women following pregnancy losses, highlighting broader national concerns.