Two women are facing lawsuits regarding the loss of a pregnancy. Brittany Watts and Kate Cox have been in court over their miscarriage complications. Brittany Watts is embroiled in a legal battle with the state of Ohio regarding her miscarriage, and facing prison time over the disposal of the fetus even after she went to the hospital for care but was turned away multiple times. Kate Cox asked a Texas judge for an abortion because the fetus she was carrying had a fatal prognosis that put her health in jeopardy, but the decision was overturned, so she left the state to seek an abortion.
Brittany Watts is facing two years in prison for a miscarriage she sought medical care for in two separate attempts but was denied. She was forced to have a painful miscarriage at home and dispose of the body. After being refused medical care, Ms. Watts did the best she could under the circumstances. The toilet became clogged with the body of the fetus, and after receiving medical care for her excessive hemorrhaging, Ms. Watts was charged with abuse of a corpse after police learned that the fetus was clogging the toilet. Is it possible Ms. Watts had no idea what she had flushed because she was in so much pain? There is no law in the state of Ohio that outlines the proper handling of a corpse in the case of miscarriage, and, yet, Ms. Watts is facing criminal charges. It wasn’t until she nearly died that she was admitted to the hospital, and with the information she gave the hospital, police entered her home and destroyed her bathroom to retrieve the fetus. This woman went through a harrowing experience, and the justice system is traumatizing Ms. Watts further with the lack of regard for her well-being and the disregard over her multiple attempts she made to seek healthcare which would have made this case nonexistent if they admitted her to the hospital as they should have.
The state of Ohio should be going after the hospital that refused Ms. Watts care, not going after Ms. Watts for doing exactly what she was told to do by medical professionals.
The lack of compassion shown Ms. Watts from the Ohio judicial system and medical system is shocking and abhorrent. I cannot imagine the pain this woman went through that day and the trauma from a criminal case over a miscarriage she could not control. Having had a miscarriage and gone to the hospital for the miscarriage, I cannot fathom a hospital refusing care. This is a physically painful experience. Women are told by doctors to go to a hospital when the bleeding or pain is excessive, and Ms. Watts did just that, but was still denied. On top of the pain, Ms. Watts then had to make a decision about what to do after, which is something a hospital should have assisted her with along with a social worker from the hospital. She did the right thing, was turned away, and then did the best she could based on the circumstances. Because Ms. Watts was forced into this awful situation, now she faces jail time if convicted.
Ms. Watts is owed an apology and compensation for her pain and suffering from the hospital, and for this criminal case to be thrown out. Ms. Watts is owed compassion and empathy instead of threats of jail time when she had no other alternative. My heart goes out to her and the suffering she must be going through.
Kate Cox left the state of Texas to seek an abortion out of state, and, hopefully, will not be threatened with any further lawsuits. There is the possibility that someone might utilize SB 8, which allows a person to sue over assisting a woman in having an abortion, but it is unlikely because that person would have to provide substantial evidence and a significant amount of money to initiate the lawsuit.
Neither of these women should be attacked for their choices. These deserve support from their community’s instead of fighting for their right to healthcare and bodily autonomy.
Let women make their own healthcare choices without attacks or judgement.
These situations could happen to any woman.
Vote for abortion rights and access.
Vote for women’s bodily autonomy.
If you would like to read further, the AP has written a thorough article- Where abortion laws stand in every state
If you are able to donate or share a Go Fund Me for Brittany Watts and her legal fees and medical expenses, it is much appreciated.