Brittany Watts, a resident of Warren, Ohio, experienced a traumatic and heartbreaking ordeal when she miscarried her 22-week-old fetus. On September 22, 2023, Watts woke up at home, knowing that she was miscarrying. She had been informed by doctors a few days prior that her fetus was nonviable. Bleeding and in pain, Watts spent a total of 19 hours in the hospital over two days, desperately asking to be induced. However, a local ethics group at Mercy Health – St. Joseph Warren Hospital raised concerns about Ohio’s abortion laws in relation to Watts’ case, leading to significant delays in her care.
Frustrated with the prolonged wait times, Watts decided to leave the hospital against medical advice on both days. She ended up miscarrying alone in her own bathroom. When she returned to Mercy Health seeking medical care after the miscarriage, a nurse comforted her briefly before calling the police at the hospital’s direction. They were instructed to go to Watts’ home and locate the fetus. Subsequently, Watts was charged with abuse of a corpse, a felony offense. However, earlier this month, an Ohio grand jury declined to indict her, resulting in the dismissal of the charge.
Brittany Watts, 34 years old, has lived her entire life in Warren, Ohio. The city, once a thriving steel town, is situated approximately 15 miles northwest of Youngstown and has a population of nearly 40,000 according to 2020 U.S. Census Bureau data. Watts describes herself as quiet and mild-mannered, primarily minding her own business. When she discovered she was pregnant, she chose to keep the news to herself, fearing disappointment from her close relationship with her mother.
Watts sought medical attention when she began leaking fluid on September 19, 2023. Her doctor confirmed that her water had broken, and she was subsequently referred to Mercy Health – St. Joseph Warren Hospital for further care. Despite the hospital’s close proximity, Watts was required to travel by ambulance, which emphasized the seriousness of her situation. Frustration mounted as she waited for the doctor to provide updates or call her. Watts repeatedly asked hospital staff about any developments, but they could only respond with ongoing delays.
Medical records indicate that Watts was monitored in the hospital for approximately eight hours. However, feeling neglected and dissatisfied with the lack of answers, Watts decided to leave the hospital, disregarding the doctors’ warnings about potentially fatal complications such as hemorrhage, sepsis, and even death. She returned to the hospital the following day, hoping for an induction or some progress in her care. Medical records confirm that she received care for around 11 hours, including receiving an IV and awaiting induction. However, induction never occurred.
Unbeknownst to Watts, doctors were waiting for a response from the hospital’s ethics committee regarding concerns about Ohio’s abortion laws before proceeding with induction. The hospital staff had also become alarmed by Watts’ use of the term “abortion.” The ethics committee, consisting of various healthcare professionals, issued a note stating that they supported induction if it was deemed necessary to prevent harm to Watts due to a high risk of bleeding or serious infection. They emphasized that the procedure was solely intended to safeguard her well-being and not to terminate a potentially viable pregnancy. According to records, Watts was 21 weeks and six days pregnant, one day short of the Ohio law’s ban on abortions after 22 weeks.
Despite multiple calls and consultations with the ethics committee to resolve any remaining concerns, Watts had not been induced even after three hours. Frustration overwhelmed her, and she informed a nurse that she could wait at home instead. The nurse assured her that only one more call was pending, but Watts had reached her limit. By 7:20 p.m., she had left her hospital room and checked out.
Watts returned home, where she had dinner with her mother, who noticed her pain. Watts brushed it off as a stomach ache and expressed her desire to rest. She attempted to distract herself by watching television before going to bed.
On September 22, at around 6 a.m., Watts experienced a significant event. She rushed to the bathroom, feeling intense pain. As she sat on the toilet, she suddenly heard a splash. Watts looked down and discovered that the toilet was filled with blood and tissue. She immediately began cleaning herself up, using disinfecting wipes and the shower to wash away the blood. While trying to maintain the appearance of a clean bathroom, Watts used a plunger to clear the toilet and emptied the contents into a bucket, which she later discarded outside.
After the ordeal, Watts tried to continue with her day. She attended a previously scheduled hair appointment, but the hairdresser noticed her discomfort and expressed concern for her well-being. Watts briefly explained the situation, leaving out the details of her miscarriage.
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