Ohio woman to attend State of the Union address

A Warren woman who made national headlines because of her miscarriage and the criminal charges that followed will attend President Biden’s State of the Union address.

Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, a Dayton native, has invited Brittany Watts to the president’s

March 7 speech.

“Ms. Watts’ unwavering bravery and fierce advocacy for reproductive justice in Ohio and beyond are truly commendable,” said Beatty. “Her poignant story has resonated with millions, igniting a powerful call for change.

“Protecting and expanding reproductive rights are vital to the Biden-harris Administration’s vision for the state of our union. Ms. Watts’ story and voice are essential in shaping that vision, and I am proud to uplift her as my guest to the State of the Union Address.”

Watts gained national attention after being charged with abuse of a corpse after she miscarried into a toilet in her home and flushed and plunged the toilet.

A myriad of groups voiced their support for Watts in the months following the initial charge, including the National Women’s Law Center, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Center for Reproductive Rights.

The Trumbull County Grand Jury considered her case in January and issued a no-bill, meaning she would not be charged with a crime.

The case led to a congressional call and a letter to President Biden from the Democratic Women’s Caucus signed by 159 members of Congress.

As a result of the case and the media coverage that followed it, Watts was thrust into the conversation around reproductive rights in the nation.

Watts will be joined by Kate Cox, a 31-year-old from Dallas who was denied an emergency abortion by the state’s Supreme Court.

NBC News reported that Cox’s unborn child was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a rare disorder that significantly increases the risk of stillbirth or infant death shortly after birth.