An Ohio woman is suing her hometown, her healthcare providers and law enforcement after she was arrested for having a miscarriage about a year ago.
Brittany Watts is suing the city of Warren, as well as law enforcement and doctors and nurses at Mercy Health for false arrest prosecution without probable cause, infliction of emotional distress, medical negligence and unauthorized disclosure of medical information and indemnification, among others, reported CBS News.
In September 2023, Watts suffered a miscarriage in her home after her fetus had already been declared non-viable by healthcare professionals.
Watts, who had been at Mercy Health – St. Joseph Warren Hospital the day she miscarried, was examined by multiple doctors and diagnosed with an abruption and premature rupture of membrane. Hospital staff reportedly consulted the hospital’s clinical ethics committee without Watts’ knowledge, forcing Watts to wait for the committee’s consultation report.
Ohio’s legislation prevents abortions from being performed legally after 22 weeks, with exceptions for life-saving care. Watts was 21 weeks and six days pregnant.
“[Hospital staff’s] actions cannot be explained by concern for the life of the fetus because the doctors, including Defendant [Parisa] Khavari, knew that there was almost no chance of the fetus surviving the induced labor,” the suit reads, according to CBS News.
After becoming frustrated at the hospital’s wait times, Watts allegedly told a nurse she would rather have been waiting at home after she had been waiting for hours with no instruction. She then decided to check out of the hospital and return home.
The next morning, Watts had a miscarriage in her bathroom at home. She later went to the hospital and was treated for blood loss.
“The nurse comes in and she’s rubbing my back and talking to me and saying, ‘Everything’s going to be okay. You’re going to be okay,’” Watts told the outlet. “Little do I know, there’s a police officer that comes into the room a short time later. And I’m wondering, ‘Why is a police officer coming in here? I don’t recall doing anything wrong.’ And little do I know the nurse comforting me and saying that everything was gonna be okay was the one who called police.”
Police searched Watts’ house and found the fetus stuck in the trap of the toilet. Watts said she never saw the fetus and did not know where it was.
Watts was later arrested by the Warren Police Department and charged with abuse of a corpse, as reported by WFMJ. She pleaded not guilty.
Hospital staff, including named nurse Connie Moschell and Detective Nick Carney, allegedly created false reports and hospital notes, misrepresenting the situation to Watts during interrogation in order to build up a case against her, according to the lawsuit.
In January 2024, a jury refused to indict Watts, allowing for her to be cleared of all charges.
“While Ms. Watts was relieved that the truth had prevailed, the closing of the criminal case did not erase the harm Defendants’ misconduct caused,” the suit stated.
Watts is seeking compensation for damages, including those caused by mental and emotional distress, and a trial by jury.
Originally published by Latin Times.
