A Georgia woman, Selena Maria Chandler-Scott, 24, was arrested following a miscarriage that has ignited fears of increasing criminalization of pregnancy outcomes. Chandler-Scott, who was found unconscious and bleeding, was later charged with concealing a death and abandoning a dead body after fetal remains were discovered in a dumpster near her apartment complex. The discovery occurred after an emergency call on March 20, which led authorities to find Chandler-Scott in a dire state.
Witnesses reportedly claimed that she had placed the fetus in a bag before disposing of it, which contributed to the charges. An autopsy confirmed that the fetus was around 19 weeks old and had not taken a breath. Despite the findings, which indicated a natural miscarriage, the charges remain a point of contention. Legal experts noted that Georgia law does not specifically address the disposal of a non-viable fetus following a miscarriage. District Attorney Patrick Warren acknowledged that there may be no legal grounds to prosecute Chandler-Scott, suggesting that the case could lack sufficient legal justification for a conviction.
The arrest has raised widespread concern and sparked public outcry, with many advocating that it is part of a larger trend of criminalizing women for pregnancy outcomes, particularly in the wake of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. This case underscores growing concerns about the treatment of women who suffer pregnancy complications and miscarriages, especially as some states have passed restrictive abortion laws in the years following the landmark decision.
Advocates for reproductive rights have highlighted the increasing number of cases where women are facing legal consequences for actions related to miscarriage or stillbirth. In Texas, for instance, there have been reports of women being denied lifesaving miscarriage care, leading to fatalities in some instances. These incidents have led to widespread fear about the erosion of protections for pregnant women and the potential for further criminalization of pregnancy-related decisions.
In the wake of Chandler-Scott’s arrest, her family launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover her legal and medical expenses, raising more than $18,000 to date. Supporters argue that the case could set a dangerous precedent for women’s rights, especially as it pertains to personal medical decisions during pregnancy. The case is now under review by the district attorney’s office, which will decide whether charges will proceed.
Feminist activists have condemned the arrest, warning that such actions could signal the beginning of a troubling trend. Jessica Valenti, a prominent feminist writer, argued that this kind of prosecution should not be normalized, warning that it could lead to a desensitization to extreme measures taken against women’s autonomy. She described the situation as part of a broader strategy to create a culture where such actions are viewed as commonplace, allowing for more intrusive and punitive actions against women’s reproductive rights.
The arrest of Chandler-Scott has become a flashpoint for debates over the rights of women in pregnancy and the broader implications of recent legal and political shifts surrounding reproductive health. It has drawn attention to the need for clear legal protections for women, particularly those facing the emotional and physical challenges of miscarriage. As the case develops, it may have far-reaching consequences for how pregnancy-related issues are treated under the law in Georgia and beyond.
