A Yucca Valley woman whose son was stillborn in September due to her drug use, was sentenced to drug court April 2. On September 9, 2012, Katherine Hunter, 34, was 40 weeks pregnant, went to Hi-Desert Medical Center, complaining of contractions, abdominal pain, and that she had not felt the baby move for several hours. A stillborn boy was delivered by C-section shortly before midnight. Efforts to revive the baby were unsuccessful. Both the mother and her son tested positive for amphetamines. An autopsy of the baby revealed the cause of death as “intrauterine fetal demise due to maternal methamphetamine use.” Supervising District Attorney Simon Umsheid told Z107.7 News that the woman can’t be prosecuted for the death of her son, as he had died before being born; a 1977 ruling by the California Court of Appeals said, “The word ‘child’ … was not intended to refer to an unborn child and … prenatal conduct does not constitute felonious child endangering.” However, Hunter was charged with use of or being under the influence of a controlled substance. On April 2, Katherine Hunter pleaded guilty and agreed to pay a $100 fine, and to enter a drug court program. If she successfully completes the drug court program, the Court will set aside her plea of guilty and dismiss the charges.
