In a troubling case from Oklahoma, advocacy groups are voicing their support for a woman sentenced to prison after experiencing a miscarriage while reportedly using methamphetamine. This situation highlights ongoing issues surrounding women’s rights in various states, not just Texas, which has been in the spotlight recently.
Brittney Johnson, a 21-year-old from Lawton, Oklahoma, was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter after losing her pregnancy. Notably, while an autopsy revealed the presence of meth in the fetus’s system, it did not establish that this was the reason for the miscarriage. The autopsy indicated several other potential factors, including congenital abnormalities and placental abruption—a serious condition where the placenta detaches from the uterus. This suggests that Johnson may have miscarried regardless of her drug use.
The fetus was determined to be only 15 to 17 weeks gestational age, a stage at which it is not considered viable outside the womb. Lynn Paltrow, executive director of the National Advocates for Pregnant Women, emphasized the severity of the prosecution, stating, “This prosecution went forward against somebody who had a pregnancy loss before the fetus was considered viable.”
Despite the medical examiner’s findings, the court chose to hold Johnson accountable for her actions, asserting that her choices led to the loss of the fetus.
This case is alarming, yet it’s not an isolated incident. In Oklahoma, a court has ruled that embryos and fetuses can be classified as “children” under child neglect laws, primarily affecting cases involving pregnant women who use substances. Nationwide, the trend of prosecuting women for pregnancy losses has escalated dramatically. A study revealed a significant increase from 413 cases between 1973 and 2005 to 1,250 cases from 2006 to 2020. This alarming rise indicates a growing trend that many are unaware of.
It is critical to address and halt such practices, as they pose serious implications for women’s rights and health.
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Summary:
Brittney Johnson, a 21-year-old from Lawton, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to four years in prison for manslaughter following a miscarriage attributed to her drug use. Despite the lack of evidence linking meth to the miscarriage, the court ruled against her, raising serious concerns about women’s rights and legal precedents surrounding pregnancy.