Protecting Pregnant Women and their Unborn Babies

In another Alabama case, a truck driver was indicted on two manslaughter charges in the death of Lottie May Porter and her unborn child in a November 2002.

A Pennsylvania man will be charged with killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child after police found the remains of LaToyia Figueroa, a 24 year-old woman who was last seen alive in July. Relatives and friends had covered the city in fliers trying to find the young woman and a reward of $100,000 was offered for any information leading to her.

Jillian Hope Melia Doyle recently died having survived an emergency Caesarian section in July. The operation was necessary due to injuries her mother suffered in a car accident that was caused by a man who was allegedly high on drugs. Now that the baby has died additional charges may follow.

Shae Marie Bollinger was 6½ months pregnant when a pick-up truck struck her vehicle, killing her boyfriend and injuring her. Bollinger’s critical injuries required a Caesarian section and Baby Jordyn Lyn Williams died from injuries on her fifth day of life. Now, two years later, the driver of the truck has been charged with two felony counts of homicide by vehicle.

And, we recall the Lacey Peterson verdict that found Scott, her husband, guilty of murdering his wife and unborn son. The Federal Unborn Victims of Violence Act, also known as Laci and Conner's Law, was signed into law by President Bush in 2004.

Remarkably, some continue to question whether or not laws prohibiting homicide and assault apply to the unborn. Thankfully, some state lawmakers are proposing legislation to make the issue clear.

A bill that would make it a crime to murder or assault an unborn child was passed by the Alabama House 93-0 in the last session, but was held up by an unrelated filibuster in the Senate and never came up for a vote in that chamber.

Rep. Spencer Collier, R-Irvington, who sponsored the bill has prefiled the bill, according to a press report, which specifies that in Alabama's laws concerning assault and homicide the word "person" would include an unborn child, beginning at the inception of the pregnancy.

"You've got two murders. In reality you've got two victims," said Collier, who is also a state trooper, referring to the Albertville homicide. "But in Alabama we don't recognize the unborn child as a victim and that is wrong."