Woman charged with fetal homicide after abortion, KSP says

WOLFE COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - A Kentucky woman has been charged with fetal homicide after police say she told a clinic she aborted her pregnancy at home and buried the infant on her property.

Kentucky State Police arrested 35-year-old Melinda S. Spencer, of Campton, on charges of fetal homicide in the first degree, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence.

The investigation began Wednesday around 2:30 p.m. when Kentucky State Police Post 8 was contacted by a clinic in Campton. Clinic staff reported a woman had disclosed that she aborted her pregnancy at her residence on Flat Mary Road, according to police.

Troopers and detectives interviewed Spencer at the clinic. Police said Spencer told detectives she had ordered medication online to complete an abortion. Spencer took the medication, which resulted in the death of a developed male infant, police said.

Spencer then buried the infant on the back of her property in a shallow grave, according to police.

Troopers and detectives responded to the 3700 block of Flat Mary Road, where they located the infant in a shallow grave as Spencer had described, police said.

The case remains under investigation. An autopsy is being performed in Frankfort to determine gestational age.

WKYT reached out to Spencer for an interview, she said she was advised by her attorneys not to speak to media.

Kentucky has a near total ban on abortion.

A doctor can only perform an abortion to prevent death or serious injury to the mother. There are no exceptions for rape or incest.

Some nearby states do have abortion access. In Ohio and Virginia there are some restrictions, including a ban after 20 weeks.

Abortion is legal and protected in Illinois, with access guaranteed up to fetal viability.

Kentucky does not currently have a law that restricts traveling to another state for abortion care.