A young woman from northeastern Nebraska, age 18, has been sentenced to 90 days in jail along with two years of probation for her involvement in burning and burying her aborted child, a crime she carried out with the help of her mother.
Celeste Burgess, from Norfolk, pleaded guilty earlier in the year to the charge of concealing or abandoning a dead body. As part of an agreement with prosecutors, two other misdemeanor charges – false reporting and concealing the death of another person – were dropped.
The allegations revolve around Celeste and her 42-year-old mother, Jessica Burgess, who are said to have collaborated in terminating the pregnancy. The abortion took place well into Celeste’s third trimester, which, at the time, violated Nebraska law since it banned abortions after 20 weeks of gestation.
Reports say that Jessica Burgess acquired abortion pills online, which she then provided to her then-17-year-old daughter during the spring of 2022.
Jessica Burgess herself pleaded guilty to providing an illegal abortion, false reporting, and tampering with human skeletal remains earlier this month. In return for her plea, charges of concealing the death of another person and performing an abortion without proper licensing were dismissed. She is scheduled to be sentenced on September 22.
The investigation into the abortion began after police received a tip. Investigators obtained a search warrant to access Facebook messages exchanged between the mother and daughter, in which they allegedly discussed the termination of the pregnancy and the disposal of the fetal remains. Subsequently, the police discovered the burnt fetal remains buried in a field north of Norfolk.
According to court records, one of the Facebook messages revealed Jessica Burgess instructing her daughter on how to take the pills to induce the abortion.
This case has sparked controversy and raised questions about the ethical and legal boundaries surrounding late-term abortions. It has also reignited the debate on abortion laws in Nebraska, with proponents arguing for stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Late-term abortions, also known as post-viability abortions, refer to terminations performed after the point of fetal viability. The definition of fetal viability varies, but it generally falls between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. In Nebraska, the law previously banned abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, making the Burgess case a clear violation.
Proponents of stricter abortion regulations argue that late-term abortions are morally and ethically wrong as they involve the termination of a potentially viable fetus. They believe that fetal rights should be protected and that alternatives such as adoption should be considered instead. They also argue that late-term abortions pose greater risks to the woman’s health and well-being.
On the other hand, advocates for reproductive rights argue that women should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and pregnancies. They argue that restrictive abortion laws often disproportionately affect marginalized communities and restrict access to safe and legal abortions. They emphasize the importance of providing comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including access to contraceptive methods and safe abortion services.
The Burgess case brings up additional concerns about the safety and legality of obtaining abortion pills online. In this case, Jessica Burgess acquired the pills online and provided them to her daughter without proper medical supervision. This raises questions about the quality and safety of medication obtained through non-regulated channels. It also highlights the need for comprehensive sex education and access to reliable healthcare resources to ensure that individuals can make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
The sentencing of Celeste and the impending sentencing of Jessica Burgess demonstrate the consequences individuals may face when engaging in illegal activities related to abortion. It serves as a reminder that the law is in place to protect both the rights of the unborn and the health and well-being of women.
Moving forward, it is essential to continue the conversation surrounding abortion laws and access to reproductive healthcare. By engaging in informed and respectful dialogue, policymakers and society as a whole can work towards finding solutions that uphold both women’s rights and fetal rights, while promoting the overall well-being of individuals and communities. It is also crucial to prioritize comprehensive sex education and access to safe and legal healthcare resources to ensure that individuals can make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
