Police are investigating a tragic case in Indianapolis where a pregnant, young pastor’s wife was shot in their home. Sadly, state law does not provide for justice for the couple’s unborn baby.
Amanda Blackburn, 28, and her 12-week unborn child died from a gunshot wound after what police believe was an attempted burglary around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to ABC News.
Pastor Davey Blackburn found his wife unconscious on the ground of their home with a gunshot wound in the head. He had just returned from the gym. Amanda was rushed to the hospital where she and her unborn baby later died, according to reports.
“My wife was such a beautiful, gracious, loving woman of God,” her husband said in a statement Wednesday. “I have not only lost my ministry partner and support but also my very best friend. There is no way to prepare yourself for circumstances like these. As deeply as I am hurting, I am hopeful and confident that good things will come of this.”
The young couple also has a 1-year-old son named Weston, according to reports. The couple moved to Indianapolis three years ago after feeling called to plant a new church there, according to their church’s website.
“Resonate’s vision is to connect people to life-change and see a contagious movement of God spread throughout Indianapolis,” according to the church website. The church is rallying around Blackburn and his son through the tragedy, calling for prayer in posts on social media.
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Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Sgt. Kendale Adams told the news outlet that they are looking for suspects, and they believe the case may be tied to other recent break-ins in the area. Police said a burglar recently took electronics and other valuables from a nearby house.
The case is doubly tragic because both the mother and her unborn child were killed. However, the Blackburn’s unborn baby may not be recognized as a victim under current state law because he or she wasn’t viable outside the womb yet.
Indiana law recognizes unborn victims of violence if the killing of “a fetus that has attained viability” is murder, voluntary manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter, according to the National Right to Life Committee.
