Georgia woman faces murder charges after pregnancy loss amid strict abortion laws
Alexia Moore has been held in jail since early March on murder and drug charges. The case centres on allegations that she ended her pregnancy in Georgia, where strict abortion laws apply. Her legal team is now pushing for a bond hearing and a faster trial, with a court date set for Monday.
Moore was arrested after giving birth at a hospital on December 30, 2023. The fetus survived for roughly an hour before dying. Authorities claim she admitted to taking misoprostol, a medication used in abortions, along with oxycodone, a controlled substance.
Georgia law treats an embryo as a person once cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks. Abortion beyond this point is illegal in the state. Moore's case now rests with District Attorney Keith Higgins, who would need a grand jury indictment before pursuing a murder charge.
Records show at least 210 women across the US faced pregnancy-related criminal charges in the year following the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade. Moore's defence has filed motions to secure her release on bond and speed up the trial process.
The outcome of Moore's case will depend on the grand jury's decision and the district attorney's next steps. If convicted, she could face severe penalties under Georgia's abortion and drug possession laws. The hearing scheduled for Monday will determine whether she can be released while awaiting trial.
