By Heather Clark
Christian News Network
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that state child protection laws include the unborn, reinforcing the court’s declaration that children in the womb are entitled to the right to life.
The 8-1 decision centered on a case involving Sarah Jane Hicks, who ingested cocaine while pregnant. After the child was born and tested positive for drugs, Hicks was charged with violating the state’s chemical endangerment statute and plead guilty.
However, Hicks’ attorneys soon argued that the word “child” in the statute did not pertain to the unborn. The case is similar to a 2013 ruling regarding two mothers who had been charged under the law for ingesting illegal drugs while pregnant.
On Friday, the court reiterated its opinion as expressed in last year’s ruling, which declared that “[t]he plain meaning of the word ‘child’ in the chemical endangerment statute includes unborn. Click here to continue reading.
