Update:
Woman Charged After Allegedly Taking Abortion Pill Because Baby Wasn’t Boyfriend’s and Burying Fetus in Backyard
The 35-year-old woman was charged with fetal homicide in the first degree, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence
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NEED TO KNOW
- A Kentucky woman was arrested and charged with fetal homicide in the first degree, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence
- Melinda Spencer, 35, was arrested after checking into a healthcare clinic and allegedly admitting to using abortion medication to terminate an unwanted pregnancy
- She allegedly told investigators that she ordered the abortion pill to get rid of the fetus because the baby did not belong to her boyfriend
A Kentucky woman has been charged after allegedly having an abortion and burying the fetus’ remains in her backyard.
The Kentucky State Police (KSP) arrested 35-year-old Melinda Spencer and charged her with fetal homicide in the first degree, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence, according to the Louisville Courier Journal, WLKY and Fox 56 News.
Spencer was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 31, after checking into a healthcare clinic where she allegedly told staff that she used medication to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, according to KSP, per the outlets.
She was then interviewed by investigators about the incident and allegedly admitted to purchasing abortion medication online and taking it on Dec. 26 to terminate the fetus, which she described as a “developed male infant,” per the outlets. She allegedly told investigators that she did so because the baby did not belong to her boyfriend, WLKY reported.
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She also allegedly told investigators that the abortion happened on Dec. 27, one day after she took the pill, and she placed the fetus wrapped in a rag in a lightbulb box and buried it in a shallow grave in her backyard, per the Courier Journal.
It’s unclear how far along Spencer had been in her pregnancy before she had the abortion, but an autopsy has been scheduled for the fetus to determine its age, per WKYT.
Spencer was taken to Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville, Ky., following her arrest, per Fox 56 News.
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After taking the medication, a developed child, a boy, died, WKYT reported. Spencer allegedly told authorities that she buried the child in a shallow grave on her property. Law enforcement was able to locate and recover the infant, according to the station’s report.
Spencer was arrested and charged with the following, per WKYT:
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- Fetal homicide (first degree)
- Abuse of a corpse
- Tampering with evidence
According to WKYT, an autopsy will determine the child’s gestational age. The investigation remains ongoing.
Spencer told reporters with WKYT that she has been advised not to speak with the media at this time.
The state of Kentucky has a near-total ban on abortion. A doctor may perform an abortion only if the mother would die or be critically injured in connection with a pregnancy. There are no exceptions for incest or rape.
There is currently no law in Kentucky that forbids traveling to another state for abortion care.
So sad to read. KY laws are TOO strict.
Abortion is murder! Justice for this baby!