Gov. Perdue signs fetus protection bill into Law

By: News 14 Carolina Staff

Governor Bev Perdue signed a bill into law that creates separate criminal counts for causing the death of or seriously injuring a fetus inside the mother's womb. Perdue's office said she signed Ethen's Law late Friday.

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RALEIGH—Governor Bev Perdue signed a bill into law that creates separate criminal counts for causing the death of or seriously injuring a fetus inside the mother's womb.
Perdue's office said she signed Ethen's Law late Friday. The law is named for the unborn son of Raleigh woman, Jenna Neilsen, who was murdered in 2007. Perdue said she supports abortion rights, but also supports punishing anyone who would attack or kill a pregnant woman.
Ethen's Law does not apply to legal abortions, but does give legal status to fetuses that can not survive outside the womb. The law takes effect December 1. It creates a new count of murder, manslaughter, and assault and battery for unborn children.