Groups Oppose Prosecution Of Woman Who's Stillborn Son Had Meth In His System

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ More than 150 state and national medical and health groups are opposing the prosecution of an Oklahoma woman who's baby boy was born dead and with methamphetamine in his system.

Monday, June 25th 2007, 2:35 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ More than 150 state and national medical and health groups are opposing the prosecution of an Oklahoma woman who's baby boy was born dead and with methamphetamine in his system.

Theresa Lee Hernandez is charged with first-degree murder in the death of the boy who was stillborn in April 2004 after 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Groups including the Oklahoma State Medical Association, the state Nurse's Association and the Oklahoma City University School of Law are sending a letter of opposition to Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater.

The letter it's ``highly questionable'' that the stillborn birth can be attributed to drug use. And it says alcohol and drug use during pregnancy is best addressed through education and community-based treatment.

Prater has said he will not drop the murder charge. Hernandez is the first woman in Oklahoma to be charged with murder of her unborn child and has been in jail since September 2004.

She's to go on trial in October.

Related Story:

6/24/2007 New DA Won't Drop Murder Charge Against Meth Addict