Stillbirth Grief Post Leads to Prison, Experts Cite Pattern
Patience Rousseau, a mother who experienced a stillbirth, was charged with felony manslaughter in Nevada under a statute that criminalizes women for taking substances with the intent to terminate a pregnancy. Her case exemplifies a broader trend of women facing criminalization for pregnancy outcomes, even in states where abortion is legal. This pattern has intensified since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, with prosecutors utilizing outdated laws to charge women for events like miscarriages and stillbirths. Rousseau’s conviction was later vacated due to ineffective counsel, and she received a settlement, though the trauma of her experience and the handling of her child’s remains remain deeply impactful.
John Q. Hosedrinker