Unborn Victims of Violence Act signed into law in West Virginia

Published: 2005-03-30

WHEELING, W.Va. (CNS) -- A law making it a separate crime to injure an unborn child drew praise from the bishop of West Virginia's only Catholic diocese. Bishop Michael J. Bransfield of Wheeling-Charleston congratulated the state Legislature for passing the Unborn Victims of Violence Act and praised Gov. Joe Manchin for signing it. "The passage of this law could not have come at a better time than the Easter season, with its promise of new life," said Bishop Bransfield after Manchin signed the bill March 28. The law establishes that an unborn child may be a separate and distinct victim in certain violent crimes against a pregnant woman. If an unborn child is injured or killed during particular crimes, the assailant may also be charged with that offense on behalf of the child. It passed both houses of the legislature by overwhelming majorities. It will become state law on July 1.

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