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The Murder of Pregnant Women
Jun 25, 2007 | 9:36 PM
Category: News
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Featured On: MyFoxBoston, Bob_Ward's Blog Newsroom
It's one of those phrases that just jumps out at me: the number
one cause of death for pregnant women in the United States is homicide.
A number of national studies have proclaimed that conclusion over
the years, and it IS an eye-opener. At least for me.
The latest well known example of this is, of course, the recent
murder of Jessie Davis. Her boyfriend, Bobby Cutts is now accused
of killing Davis and the couple's unborn child. That baby, Chloe,
was due to enter the world on July 3rd.
Here in Boston we will long remember Charles and Carol DiMaiti Stuart.
Carol was shot to death in 1989 after the couple left a birthing
class at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Carol's son, Christopher
was delivered by c-section. He died 17 days later. Charles Stuart
jumped off the Tobin Bridge before Boston Police could catch up
to him.
Scott Peterson tonight sits on Death Row in California for the murder
of his wife Laci who was eight months pregnant. The bodies of Laci
and her baby were pulled San Francisco Bay in the same area Scott
said he was fishing on the day Laci disappeared. Scott Peterson
had a mistress.
There are many, many more cases. Some infamous. Most anonymous.
Mary Lauby is the executive director of Jane Doe Inc., The Massachusetts
Coalition Against Sexual Assault And Domestic Violence. She told
us tonight at Fox25 that often, these abusive relationships which
escalate to murder, have warning signs. It's important for the women
involved in these cases to know the warning signs.
But it's equally important for people close to an abused woman to
know the signs too. Family, friends, co-workers, health care workers,
all should understand that it's OK to intervene. To at least ask
questions, to find out if everything is all right.
I'm not saying that Jessie Davis, Carol DiMaiti, or Laci Peterson
ever saw it coming. But I am saying that it's possible there are
other women who tonight don't understand that they could be in trouble.
And that there is help.
If you'd like to learn more, please go to Jane Doe Inc's website
at:
www.janedoe.org
The site has a lot of good information and links that could help
make a difference in someone's life.
As always, thanks for your interest.
Bob Ward
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