‘Was distraught, heartbroken, empty': Brittany Watts speaks out after being charged with felony abuse of corpse following miscarriage
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
WARREN, OHIO: In the aftermath of the tragic incident, Brittany Watts, 33, facing charges of felony abuse of a corpse following a miscarriage at her Warren home, asserts that she was left "distraught, heartbroken, empty".
The deeply emotional journey began during the third week of September, 2023 when Watts, facing the overwhelming burden of her first pregnancy, suffered a miscarriage in her bathroom.
Brittany Watts' heart-wrenching miscarriage timeline
Watts sought medical attention twice earlier that week at Mercy Health St. Joseph Warren Hospital, grappling with agonizing cramps and bleeding. However, she left both times due to extended waits to see a doctor, carrying the weight of her distress in solitude.
"I was distraught, heartbroken, empty - literally and figuratively," Watts confided to NBC. Not disclosing the pregnancy to her family, Watts faced a miscarriage at just over 22 weeks pregnant.
Following the miscarriage, Watts attempted to manage the aftermath privately. After flushing the toilet, she encountered an overflow, prompting her to use a bucket for cleanup. Desperate to keep her secret, she proceeded to a salon for a pre-scheduled hair appointment.
Concerned by her demeanor, the hairdresser contacted Watts' mother, ultimately leading to Watts being taken to the hospital, where a nurse made a critical 911 call. The nurse, referencing earlier hospital visits, revealed that Watts had left "against medical advice" but returned "on Wednesday, still bleeding".
Watts admitted to placing the fetus in a bucket outside her home, expressing a desire not to keep the baby. Contrary to her intentions, the Warren police found the fetus still in the toilet, resulting in Watts' arrest on charges of gross abuse of a corpse, a fifth-degree felony.
Watts' attorney Traci Timko empathized with her client, acknowledging, "It’s a lot of pain, it’s a lot of emotion, and she was terrified. There were so many things going on that she was trying to handle at one time."
Dispute arises over fetal disposal in Ohio law and 'duty-bound' obligation
A preliminary hearing on November 2, 2023 saw Detective Nick Carney recount Watts' statement that she felt the baby come out with a significant splash.
However, a forensic pathologist testified that no injuries were found on the fetus, indicating its demise before passing through the birth canal.
Despite these revelations, a judge found probable cause to send the case to the Trumbull County Grand Jury for further review. Prosecutor Dennis Watkins, citing adherence to Ohio law, emphasized the "duty-bound" nature of his office.
Ohio law distinguishes between the misdemeanor offense of abuse of a corpse and the felony offense of gross abuse of a corpse, the latter requiring actions that would "outrage reasonable community sensibilities".
Timko is optimistic that Watts will be cleared, asserting, "Ohio law is on our side."
Further, Ohio's Senate Bill 27, addresses the disposal of fetal remains, categorizing it as a first-degree misdemeanor. It is primarily relevant to healthcare settings such as abortion clinics, as opposed to private residences. However, the bill remains a subject of contention and is presently on hold, awaiting a final judgment.
Subsequently, support for Watts has surfaced through a GoFundMe campaign initiated by friends, aiming to cover legal fees. The campaign has exceeded expectations, raising over $200,000, emphasizing the collective effort to ensure justice for Watts.
