WOMAN GUILTY OF KILLING FETUS BY USING CRACK

A woman was convicted Wednesday and sentenced to 12 years in prison
for killing her nearly full-term fetus by using crack cocaine during
her pregnancy.

The verdict apparently marks the first time a woman in the United
States has been found guilty of homicide for taking drugs during
pregnancy.

The case also 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.

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

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 is the mother
of three other children and is two months pregnant.