Kentucky Woman Charged with Fetal Homicide

A woman from Kentucky has been charged with fetal homicide after allegedly using an abortion pill and burying her fetus in a light bulb box wrapped for Christmas in her backyard following an affair.

Melinda Spencer, 35, was arrested on Wednesday after visiting a healthcare clinic in Campton, where she informed staff that she had used drugs purchased online to terminate her pregnancy, according to Kentucky State Police.

Authorities claim Spencer admitted to taking the pills on December 26 and, two days later, buried what was described as a “developed male child” in a shallow grave at her Flat Mary Road residence.

After police obtained a search warrant, they discovered the body wrapped in white cloth and placed inside a plastic bag within a holiday-decorated box, as per court documents.

According to reports, Spencer confessed that she ordered the drugs to end her pregnancy because she did not want her boyfriend to find out about her infidelity.

Officials stated that she intended to “abort the fetus herself.”

The duration of her pregnancy prior to taking the medication remains unclear.

An autopsy is planned to assess the fetus’s state of development.

In Kentucky, nearly all abortions are prohibited, and medical professionals can only perform them to prevent serious harm or death to the mother.

There are no exceptions in cases of rape or incest.

Additionally, state law bans the distribution of abortion pills.

Spencer faces charges including first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and promoting contraband. For the fetal homicide charge, she could potentially face the death penalty. If convicted, a life sentence is also a possibility.

She is currently detained at Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville.