RICHMOND — The House of Delegates gave second-reading approval Monday to a bill, sponsored by Del. Kathy Byron, R-Campbell County, that would allow prosecution if someone kills an infant while its umbilical cord and placenta are still attached to the mother.
“It’s sad to say, there have been two instances in my district where a mother took the life of her newborn child,” Byron told the House in a brief floor speech.
In one case, a Campbell County woman smothered her newborn infant under bedclothes and it took 10 hours before anyone realized the child had been born, Byron said.
The other case, also in Campbell County, occurred a few years ago when a mother drowned her child in a toilet.
No one in the House asked any questions about the bill, HB 1033, after Byron’s remarks. The action means the bill could receive final approval in the House this week.
Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, is sponsoring a similar bill (SB 602) that has already passed the Senate. There are minor differences in the two bills.
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