Georgia woman charged with murder after infant death linked to abortion medication, report says

A 31-year-old woman is facing a murder charge after authorities say she attempted to terminate her pregnancy using medication before later giving birth to an infant who died.

(CNN)- A 31-year-old woman is facing a murder charge after authorities say she attempted to terminate her pregnancy using medication before later giving birth to an infant who died.

According to an arrest report, Alexia Moore allegedly took 200 milligrams of misoprostol, a drug commonly used in medication abortions, before being transported to Southeast Georgia Health System hospital in Camden County in December. Investigators say Moore later gave birth to a baby girl who was described in the report as premature and suffering from major health complications. The infant later died. The report also states Moore attempted to leave the hospital after taking the medication and giving birth. Moore was arrested last week and charged with murder in connection with the infant’s death. Legal experts say cases like this often hinge on specific elements under the law.

“In order for someone to be charged with murder, the elements are that something was done intentionally — a criminal act — which then resulted in a human losing their life,” said Chris Carson, a criminal defense attorney in Jacksonville.

Carson added that a key factor in the case will likely be how the law defines the status of the fetus and whether the actions taken directly caused the death.

“For the most part, what the legal analysis will be looking to is whether the fetus is considered to be a human and whether there was an act that was done which then resulted in the death of that human,” Carson said. The case is also drawing reaction from abortion rights advocates.

Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani, who previously worked for Planned Parenthood, criticized laws that criminalize abortion.

“No one should be criminalized for ending their own pregnancy,” Eskamani said. “Banning abortion is not actually ending abortion. And though abortion medication is overwhelmingly safe, it’s a lot safer if you can take it with the guidance of a medical professional.”

The case remains under investigation.