A Butler County judge has dismissed the most serious charge against a woman who allegedly overdosed while pregnant.
Judge William Shaffer ordered that the felony charge of aggravated assault of an unborn child filed against 30-year-old Kasey Dischman be dropped. Judge Shaffer said state law clearly protects pregnant women from such charges.
“The defendant is alleged to have done a senseless, selfish and heinous act, that, allegedly, resulted in devastating and permanent injuries to her unborn child. This Court is nonetheless constrained by the clear, plan and unambiguous language of (the law),” Judge Shaffer wrote in his four-page opinion.
Dischman still faces three misdemeanor charges. She will be held for trial on those three charges.
The Butler County mother was charged in June after allegedly overdosing at her East Butler home while being seven months pregnant. The condition of the now four-month old baby, which was put on life-support after delivery, is unclear.
