This is a very sticky situation. It is not illegal to refuse medical treatment. If she refused the C section due to religious beliefs, there would have been no charges filed. The problem is she refused because she didn't want to be cut. She was not told the baby would definitely die if she did not have it, she was told it might, so she took the chance. Personally, I would have had the C.
Charging her with murder though, opens the door to file charges against any woman who does not have good prenatal care, who smokes or drinks while pregnant. Granted, those decisions are stupid and have potential danger for the baby, but criminal? It may be morally wrong, but charging her just gives the government more leway to try and control what we do with our bodies. Just my .02
Last edited by Red at Mar 12 2004, 02:34 PM
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