Celeste Burgess, a 19-year-old from Nebraska, has been sentenced to 90 days in prison for performing an illegal abortion and burning the baby’s remains with the assistance of her mother, Jessica Burgess. Celeste pleaded guilty to a felony charge of removing, concealing, or abandoning a dead human body, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
Earlier this month, Jessica, aged 42, pleaded guilty to her involvement in destroying the body. She had obtained the abortion pills online and helped her daughter with the procedure. Jessica also pleaded guilty to providing an abortion after 20 weeks of gestation, false reporting, and tampering with human skeletal remains. As part of a plea deal, charges of concealing the death of another person and abortion by someone other than a licensed physician were dropped. Jessica is scheduled for sentencing on September 22.
According to court documents filed in Nebraska’s Madison County, Celeste was sentenced to 90 days in jail and two years of probation. The judge’s order stated that the confinement is necessary to emphasize the seriousness of the crime and prevent disrespect for the law. Under the plea agreement, Celeste had her misdemeanor charges of false reporting and concealing a death dropped.
The case came to light in April 2022 when police were informed that Celeste had given birth to a stillborn baby in a bathtub at her home. After the abortion, Celeste and Jessica burned the remains and buried them in a field north of Norfolk, Nebraska. However, authorities later discovered the burned fetus. Initially, when interviewed by the police, Celeste claimed to have had a miscarriage and stated that her mother had put the body in a bag in the van.
Further investigation led the police to obtain a warrant for the mother and daughter’s Facebook messages. It was revealed that they had planned and discussed the home abortion and the disposal of the body and evidence. In one of the messages, Celeste expressed her eagerness to remove the fetus from her body.
Nebraska has prohibited abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy since 2010. In May of this year, the governor signed a new legislation banning the procedure after 12 weeks of gestation, further restricting access to abortions in the state.
Another person involved in burying the baby’s remains, Tanner Barnhill, 22, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge and was placed on probation.
An attorney representing Jessica Burgess has requested a psychological examination before her sentencing.
The sentencing of Celeste Burgess and her mother Jessica highlights the illegal and dangerous nature of home abortions and the consequences that can follow. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the laws and regulations surrounding reproductive healthcare to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals.
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