US woman charged with fetal homicide after allegedly inducing own abortion

Kentucky woman Melinda S Spencer was arrested and charged with first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse and tampering after police say she ordered medication online to end her pregnancy and buried the remains in her yard.

Kentucky police arrested Melinda S Spencer, 35, on multiple charges including first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence. Police said she ordered medication online to end her pregnancy and buried the remains in her backyard. She was booked in a Beattyville jail and remained in custody; the next legal steps were not reported. Known details: - Melinda S Spencer, 35, was arrested by Kentucky state police and booked in Beattyville. - Reported charges include first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence. - Police said she ordered abortion medication online and buried the pregnancy remains in her yard, and officials described the fetus as developed while the gestational age was not specified. - Authorities say police became involved after Spencer spoke about the pregnancy to clinic staff; her attorney advised her not to speak to media and was not available for comment. Summary: The arrest is being reported amid wider attention to prosecutions related to pregnancy outcomes since the 2022 Supreme Court decision; researchers have documented hundreds of such cases. Undetermined at this time.