KY police say woman buried ‘developed male infant’ after medication abortion

Kentucky State Police have charged a Campton woman with first degree fetal homicide after saying she took medication “to complete an abortion” and then buried a “developed male infant” in a “shallow grave” near her home. 

Melinda S. Spencer, 35, was also charged with abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence, according to police. It’s unclear how far along her pregnancy was. Kentucky has very few and only narrow exceptions to its abortion ban. 

According to a KSP news release, a medical clinic in Campton contacted state police on Dec. 31 around 2:30 p.m. and reported that “there was a lady in the clinic (who) disclosed that she had aborted her pregnancy at her residence.” 

After police arrived at United Clinic, they said, the woman “stated to detectives that she had ordered medication online to complete an abortion” and “took the medication which resulted in the death of a developed male infant.” 

After that, police said, she “buried the infant on the backside of her property in a shallow grave.” Police say they went to the residence property and “located the infant in a shallow grave.” 

The case is still under investigation. 

Kentucky state law defines first degree fetal homicide as causing  “the death of an unborn child” except when a person “acted under the influence of extreme emotional disturbance for which there was a reasonable explanation or excuse.” The crime  is considered a capital offense in Kentucky. 

The woman’s other charges — abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence are Class D felonies. 

Kentucky state law describes abuse of a corpse as treatment “that would outrage ordinary family sensibilities” and includes burial without proper preparation.