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Kazza · 03-12-2004, 02:16 PM

SALT LAKE CITY (March 12) - As Melissa Ann Rowland's unborn twins got closer to birth, doctors repeatedly told her they would likely die if she did not have a Caesarean section. She refused, and one later was stillborn.

Authorities charged 28-year-old Rowland with murder on Thursday, saying she exhibited ''depraved indifference to human life,'' according to court documents. Prosecutors said Rowland didn't want to be scarred, and one nurse told police that Rowland said she would rather ''lose one of the babies than be cut like that.''

The case could affect abortion rights and open the door to the prosecution of mothers who smoke or don't follow their obstetrician's diet, said Marguerite Driessen, a law professor at Brigham Young University.

''It's very troubling to have somebody come in and say we're going to charge this mother for murder because we don't like the choices she made,'' she said.

Court documents did not list an address for Rowland, and she is not listed in telephone books for the Salt Lake City area. It could not immediately be determined whether she had an attorney.

Rowland was warned numerous times between Christmas and Jan. 9 that her unborn twins would likely die if she did not get immediate medical treatment, the documents allege. When she delivered them on Jan. 13, one survived and the other was stillborn.

The woman sought medical advice in December because she hadn't felt the fetuses move, documents said.

Regina Davis, a nurse at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake, told police that during a visit there, Rowland was recommended two hospitals to go to for immediate care. Rowland allegedly said she would rather have both twins die before she went to either of the suggested hospitals.

On Jan. 2, a doctor at LDS Hospital saw Rowland and recommended she immediately undergo a C-section based on the results of an ultrasound and the fetus' slowing heart rates. Rowland left after signing a document stating that she understood that leaving might result in death or brain injury to one or both twins, the doctor told police.

The same day, a nurse at Salt Lake Regional Hospital saw Rowland, who allegedly told her she had left LDS Hospital because the doctor wanted to cut her ''from breast bone to pubic bone,'' a procedure that would ''ruin her life.''

LDS Hospital can't comment on the case because of medical privacy issues and the pending court case, said spokesman Robert Pexton.

The doctor who performed an autopsy found that the fetus died two days before delivery and would have survived if Rowland had undergone a C-section when urged to do so. It was not immediately clear how far along Rowland was in her pregnancy.

She was charged in Salt Lake County with one first-degree felony count of criminal homicide. Rowland was being held on $250,000 bail at the Salt Lake County jail, and was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

If convicted, she could be sentenced to between five years and life in prison.

A spokesman for the district attorney, Kent Morgan, said Rowland is married and has other children, but he did not know how many.

''We are unable to find any reason other than the cosmetic motivations by the mother'' for her decision, Morgan said.

Caesarean sections usually involve delivery through a surgical incision in the abdomen and front wall of the uterus. Dr. Christian Morgan, a family practice doctor who regularly performs C-sections at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center, said he had never seen vertical skin incisions performed at LDS Hospital for a first-time C-section.

''Even when you need to get a baby out in minutes, it can still be done in the bikini incision,'' Christian Morgan said.

I am Him · 03-12-2004, 02:33 PM

I don't believe she should be charged with murder.

First, there is no gaurantee the baby would have survived with the Caesarean section.

Second, its not as if she killed the baby. The baby dieing was an act of god or some other force that she had no control of.

Dutabi84 · 03-12-2004, 02:44 PM

Charged with murder, for chosing to try and give birth the natural way, based on something that *might* happen? Are you kidding me?

Dutabi84 · 03-12-2004, 02:52 PM

Yeah here's what she looks like..might give you nightmares...

I am Him · 03-12-2004, 02:56 PM

What desperate guy boned her?

I'm suprised he was able to get it up

Perhaps she looks better from the neck down.

Rhiannon · 03-12-2004, 04:19 PM

I saw this on the news this morning. It's crazy!

MandieR1980 · 03-12-2004, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dutabi84
Charged with murder, for chosing to try and give birth the natural way, based on something that *might* happen? Are you kidding me?

No she refused to have the C section only because she didn't want a scar! She deserves to be charged for murder.

Bang A Gong · 03-12-2004, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MandieR1980
No she refused to have the C section only because she didn't want a scar! She deserves to be charged for murder.

I don't know about that.

There is no law in America prohibiting abortion. It's still pro choice, right? Well, in this case, it's pretty much a judgement call. She was still pregnant when she made the choice, and I firmly believe that a woman chooses what she wants to do with HER body and it's not up to anyone else to question her choices or tell her what's right and what's wrong. Those babies weren't born yet. She didn't kill them with her bear hands. So I wouldn't necessarily say that she's a murderer. But what I wonder is, if she didn't want the babies in the first place [and she mustn't have considering the fact that a stupid scar meant more to her than her children] than why did she carry them to full term? She could've had an abortion, but she waited until the last minute to decide that she didn't care about the fate of the babies. I wouldn't call her a murderer, but she certainly is a fool.

MandieR1980 · 03-12-2004, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sourbabie
I don't know about that.

There is no law in America prohibiting abortion. It's still pro choice, right? Well, in this case, it's pretty much a judgement call. She was still pregnant when she made the choice, and I firmly believe that a woman chooses what she wants to do with HER body and it's not up to anyone else to question her choices or tell her what's right and what's wrong. Those babies weren't born yet. She didn't kill them with her bear hands. So I wouldn't necessarily say that she's a murderer. But what I wonder is, if she didn't want the babies in the first place [and she mustn't have considering the fact that a stupid scar meant more to her than her children] than why did she carry them to full term? She could've had an abortion, but she waited until the last minute to decide that she didn't care about the fate of the babies. I wouldn't call her a murderer, but she certainly is a fool.

Abortion is only legal for a certain time during pregnancy and then it's murder. That's why Scott Peterson is up for 2 charges of murder not one.

Bang A Gong · 03-12-2004, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MandieR1980
Abortion is only legal for a certain time during pregnancy and then it's murder. That's why Scott Peterson is up for 2 charges of murder not one.

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know that.

Well then she is a murderer.

Ewan's My Man · 03-12-2004, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dutabi84
Charged with murder, for chosing to try and give birth the natural way, based on something that *might* happen? Are you kidding me?

yea, that's pretty dumb...she shouldn't be charged...

and ok, this is rude, but come on, looking at her, should she REALLY be worrying about a C-section scar? Ok, that was a cheap shot...but I'm 14, what are you gonna do, sue me on a charge of verbal assualt? But seriously, my mom has had 3 C-sections and I've never seen a scar...so it's not all about the scar factor either.

HuntingtonM15 · 03-12-2004, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ewan's My Man
and ok, this is rude, but come on, looking at her, should she REALLY be worrying about a C-section scar?

I was thinking the exact same thing.

PZelda · 03-12-2004, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ewan's My Man
yea, that's pretty dumb...she shouldn't be charged...

and ok, this is rude, but come on, looking at her, should she REALLY be worrying about a C-section scar? Ok, that was a cheap shot...but I'm 14, what are you gonna do, sue me on a charge of verbal assualt? But seriously, my mom has had 3 C-sections and I've never seen a scar...so it's not all about the scar factor either.

Same here. My stepmom had C-sections with all her kids (she had 3 too - but her 2nd child died of SIDS when he was 3 months old in March '85), and I've never seen scars on her, either.

MandieR1980 · 03-12-2004, 06:05 PM

My mom had C sections with both me and my brother her scar is there but it's very close to her private area so that's probably why you've never seen it.

MandieR1980 · 03-12-2004, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by webwarrior762002
Originally posted by MandieR1980:
My mom had C sections with both me and my brother her scar is there but it's very close to her private area so that's probably why you've never seen it.

I want to ask you something:do you hate your mother for having
a C section? And do you think people who have them will be
scarred for life?

no why would I hate my mom for having a C section? and you get scars from having any surgery I got a huge one from my gastric bypass.

03-12-2004, 02:16 PM	#1
Kazza Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 17, 2003 Posts: 3,244	Heartless mother! SALT LAKE CITY (March 12) - As Melissa Ann Rowland's unborn twins got closer to birth, doctors repeatedly told her they would likely die if she did not have a Caesarean section. She refused, and one later was stillborn. Authorities charged 28-year-old Rowland with murder on Thursday, saying she exhibited ''depraved indifference to human life,'' according to court documents. Prosecutors said Rowland didn't want to be scarred, and one nurse told police that Rowland said she would rather ''lose one of the babies than be cut like that.'' The case could affect abortion rights and open the door to the prosecution of mothers who smoke or don't follow their obstetrician's diet, said Marguerite Driessen, a law professor at Brigham Young University. ''It's very troubling to have somebody come in and say we're going to charge this mother for murder because we don't like the choices she made,'' she said. Court documents did not list an address for Rowland, and she is not listed in telephone books for the Salt Lake City area. It could not immediately be determined whether she had an attorney. Rowland was warned numerous times between Christmas and Jan. 9 that her unborn twins would likely die if she did not get immediate medical treatment, the documents allege. When she delivered them on Jan. 13, one survived and the other was stillborn. The woman sought medical advice in December because she hadn't felt the fetuses move, documents said. Regina Davis, a nurse at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake, told police that during a visit there, Rowland was recommended two hospitals to go to for immediate care. Rowland allegedly said she would rather have both twins die before she went to either of the suggested hospitals. On Jan. 2, a doctor at LDS Hospital saw Rowland and recommended she immediately undergo a C-section based on the results of an ultrasound and the fetus' slowing heart rates. Rowland left after signing a document stating that she understood that leaving might result in death or brain injury to one or both twins, the doctor told police. The same day, a nurse at Salt Lake Regional Hospital saw Rowland, who allegedly told her she had left LDS Hospital because the doctor wanted to cut her ''from breast bone to pubic bone,'' a procedure that would ''ruin her life.'' LDS Hospital can't comment on the case because of medical privacy issues and the pending court case, said spokesman Robert Pexton. The doctor who performed an autopsy found that the fetus died two days before delivery and would have survived if Rowland had undergone a C-section when urged to do so. It was not immediately clear how far along Rowland was in her pregnancy. She was charged in Salt Lake County with one first-degree felony count of criminal homicide. Rowland was being held on $250,000 bail at the Salt Lake County jail, and was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday. If convicted, she could be sentenced to between five years and life in prison. A spokesman for the district attorney, Kent Morgan, said Rowland is married and has other children, but he did not know how many. ''We are unable to find any reason other than the cosmetic motivations by the mother'' for her decision, Morgan said. Caesarean sections usually involve delivery through a surgical incision in the abdomen and front wall of the uterus. Dr. Christian Morgan, a family practice doctor who regularly performs C-sections at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center, said he had never seen vertical skin incisions performed at LDS Hospital for a first-time C-section. ''Even when you need to get a baby out in minutes, it can still be done in the bikini incision,'' Christian Morgan said.

03-12-2004, 04:19 PM	#6
Rhiannon oh, snap! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Jul 19, 2002 Location: middle of nowhere Posts: 11,097	I saw this on the news this morning. It's crazy!
	__________________ Nothing better the feeling is so fine Simply put I saw your love stream flow

03-12-2004, 02:33 PM	#2
I am Him Six Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2003 Posts: 1,529	I don't believe she should be charged with murder. First, there is no gaurantee the baby would have survived with the Caesarean section. Second, its not as if she killed the baby. The baby dieing was an act of god or some other force that she had no control of.

03-12-2004, 02:44 PM	#3
Dutabi84 kittens must die Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 22, 2003 Location: MN/TX Posts: 11,026	Charged with murder, for chosing to try and give birth the natural way, based on something that might happen? Are you kidding me?

03-12-2004, 02:52 PM	#4
Dutabi84 kittens must die Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 22, 2003 Location: MN/TX Posts: 11,026	Yeah here's what she looks like..might give you nightmares...

03-12-2004, 02:56 PM	#5
I am Him Six Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2003 Posts: 1,529	What desperate guy boned her? I'm suprised he was able to get it up Perhaps she looks better from the neck down.

03-12-2004, 06:05 PM	#14
MandieR1980 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2001 Location: East Taunton, Massachusetts Posts: 2,635	My mom had C sections with both me and my brother her scar is there but it's very close to her private area so that's probably why you've never seen it.