CRACK USER SENTENCED IN FETUS' DEATH

CONWAY, S.C.--A woman was convicted Wednesday and sentenced to 12 years in
prison for killing her unborn child by using crack cocaine during her
pregnancy.

The verdict marks the first time that anyone in the United States has been
found guilty of homicide for taking drugs during pregnancy, said an
advocate for the defendant, Regina McKnight.

A jury found McKnight, 24, guilty after deliberating for 15 minutes. She
could have faced a life sentence. McKnight's lawyers said they will appeal.

The case opens the door for prosecutors to charge women with neglect under
other conditions, such as smoking during pregnancy, said Wyndi Anderson,
executive director of the South Carolina Advocates for Pregnant Women.

The state Supreme Court ruled in 1996 that a viable fetus is considered a
child and that mothers can be charged with abuse if they took drugs after
their unborn child was able to live outside the womb.

McKnight's baby was stillborn in 1999 at 35 weeks. She has three other
children and is two months' pregnant.