Citation

Maahs J. J. Aggression Maltreat. Trauma 2003; 8(3): 205-231.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J146v08n03_01

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Under common law, a crime resulting in the death of a fetus that was viable but not "born alive" was viewed as a transgression less serious than murder. Accordingly, courts did not allow parents to bring wrongful death suits for the death of a fetus. In the past decade, however, several states have amended their criminal or civil statutes to include the specific crime of "feticide" or "fetal homicide," and the Federal government is considering similar legislation. This paper examines the history and current status of criminal and civil law regarding the third-party killing of a fetus.

Language: en