A Nebraska teenager has received a 90-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to hiding the body of her 29-week-old baby. Celeste Burgess, 18, and her mother, Jessica Burgess, allegedly obtained abortion pills from India and performed a self-induced abortion. They then burned and disposed of the baby’s body in a field.
Under a plea deal, Celeste Burgess received 90 days in jail and two years of probation, with the possibility of a reduced sentence due to good behavior. Jessica Burgess pleaded guilty to charges including performing an abortion by a non-licensed doctor and concealing the death of another person. She could face up to eight years in prison if convicted.
The case initially focused on the improper disposal of the baby’s body, but further investigation revealed evidence of the abortion. Messages between Celeste and Jessica Burgess indicated their intention to terminate the pregnancy and burn the evidence afterward. The teenager expressed excitement about removing the baby from her body and looked forward to wearing jeans again.
Nebraska law prohibits abortions after 12 weeks, except when the mother’s life is at risk. The abortion drugs used in this case were allegedly obtained from India, and it is unclear which specific drugs were involved. It is noteworthy that these drugs are not recommended for use after 10 weeks of pregnancy. Nebraska law exempts pregnant mothers from punishment for abortion, but perpetrators without medical licenses or training can be prosecuted for killing late-term unborn babies and endangering the mother’s life.
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