NCJ Number
122680
Journal
Trial Volume: 26 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1990) Pages: 56-58,60-61
Date Published
1990
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Increasing concern about drug abuse has led several States to prosecute mothers who expose their babies to drugs during pregnancy.
Abstract
Experts estimate that every year 375,000 babies are affected by drugs that they receive while in their mothers' wombs. About 35 fetal abuse cases have been brought nationwide in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, South Carolina, and Wyoming. Additionally, a judge in Washington, D.C. sentenced a pregnant addict to prison in order to protect the fetus she was carrying. These actions have been protested by public health and women's advocacy organizations as violations of women's fundamental guarantees of reproductive choice and bodily autonomy. They argue instead for drug treatment and rehabilitation services for pregnant women. Prosecuting pregnant addicts will not solve the problems of drug-addicted babies, some experts point out. State v. Johnson, a Florida case prosecuting a mother for imparting cocaine to her children while they were in utero is discussed in detail. 27 footnotes.