British authorities just charged a Gloucestershire couple for allegedly poisoning their viable, late-term unborn baby to death and then hiding the baby’s body.
The Metro reports the alleged crime occurred four years ago when Elliot Benham, 23, of Swindon, and Sophie Harvey, 23, of Cirencester, reportedly obtained a poison to “cause a miscarriage” of their unborn baby.
Authorities said they believe the baby was past 24 weeks of pregnancy, according to the report. Premature babies have survived as early as 21 weeks of pregnancy, and many are surviving at 22 weeks.
After a long investigation, Gloucestershire police recently arrested Benham and Harvey on charges that include procuring “a poison/noxious thing to cause a miscarriage” and concealing the birth of a child. They are scheduled to appear in Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, the Independent reports.
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Here’s more from the report:
Ms Harvey is additionally charged with procuring her own miscarriage by poison/use of an instrument, contrary to Section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. …
The pair were arrested following a long police investigation, which saw properties in Swindon and Cirencester searched more than two years ago.
England prohibits most abortions after 24 weeks and requires a licensed medical professional to perform the abortion. Abortion activists sometimes blame such cases on abortion restrictions and a lack of availability, but abortions are basically unrestricted, widely available and often taxpayer-funded in England.
The reports do not mention the couple’s motive, but they could have found support for themselves and their baby. Pro-life organizations and religious charities provide material and emotional support to families in need, and adoption is a loving option for parents who believe they cannot raise their child.
In the United States, safe haven laws also allow mothers to relinquish their newborns in certain circumstances without legal repercussions. Typically, these laws allow safe surrender within a certain time limit, such as up to 30 days after the baby’s birth, at a police station, hospital or firehouse.
LifeNews Note: File photo.
