A Pennsylvania teenager gave birth to a “still moving” baby after a failed late-term chemical abortion, then stored the remains under her bed for 37 hours before burying the body in her backyard with her mother’s help.
Key Takeaways
- A Pennsylvania mother purchased illegal abortion medication online for her daughter who was 20 weeks pregnant, far beyond the 10-week limit for chemical abortions in the state.
- After taking the pills, the teenager delivered what she described as a “full baby” that was “still moving,” which she kept in a box under her bed for 37 hours before burial.
- Both mother and daughter now face criminal charges including concealing a child’s death and abuse of a corpse, though not for the abortion itself due to Pennsylvania law exemptions.
- Skeletal remains were recovered by authorities after a witness provided evidence, but the coroner ruled the cause as “premature fetal death” with manner “undetermined.”
- The case highlights serious concerns about unregulated access to abortion medications and their dangerous use beyond approved gestational limits.
Illegal Chemical Abortion Leads to Horrific Outcome
Shannon Jones, a Lancaster County mother, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of minors, and conspiracy to conceal a child’s death after purchasing abortion medication online for her underage daughter. The daughter, who was approximately 20 weeks pregnant at the time, took the pills without medical supervision, violating Pennsylvania safety regulations that prohibit chemical abortions beyond 10 weeks due to serious health risks. This reckless decision led to a tragic and disturbing sequence of events that ultimately resulted in criminal charges for both mother and daughter.
According to court documents, after taking the abortion pills in May 2024, the teenage girl gave birth to what she described as a “full baby” that was “still moving.” In text messages revealed by authorities, the teen made the horrifying admission about the baby showing signs of life. Rather than seeking medical attention, the girl placed the baby’s body in a box and hid it under her bed for at least 37 hours before she and her mother buried the remains in their backyard, an act that demonstrates the extreme lengths they went to conceal what had happened.
Investigation and Legal Consequences
The grim discovery came to light in March 2025 when authorities were alerted by a witness who provided photos and messages related to the incident. A subsequent investigation led to the recovery of skeletal remains from the backyard of the family’s residence. The Lancaster County Coroner’s office ruled the cause of death as “premature fetal death” with the manner of death listed as “undetermined.” This determination prevented authorities from pursuing homicide charges, as they could not conclusively prove the baby was born alive despite the teenager’s text messages suggesting movement.
“We’re either going to get arrested or I’m gonna get divorced,” said Shannon Jones, showing she was “paranoid” about the consequences of their actions.
Shannon Jones has been released without bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 2. Her daughter, now 18 but a juvenile at the time of the incident, faces charges of abuse of a corpse and concealing a child’s death. Notably, neither woman faces charges for the abortion itself, as Pennsylvania law specifically exempts pregnant women from criminal liability in illegal abortion cases. This legal protection exists despite the fact that what transpired clearly violated medical standards and potentially endangered the teen’s life.
Broader Concerns About Abortion Pill Safety
This disturbing case raises serious questions about the unregulated distribution and use of abortion medications. While abortion advocates claim these drugs are “safe,” this incident dramatically illustrates the dangers of using such powerful medications without proper medical supervision, especially well beyond the FDA-approved gestational limit. The reality is that chemical abortions pose significant risks, particularly when used to terminate advanced pregnancies, including hemorrhage, infection, and incomplete abortion requiring surgical intervention.
“It’s still moving,” said Shannon Jones, the teenager texted after delivering what she described as a “full baby” following the chemical abortion attempt.
The case comes at a time when FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has announced a review of one of the drugs commonly used in chemical abortions due to mounting concerns about medical complications. President Trump’s administration has signaled increased scrutiny of abortion medications distributed without proper medical oversight, particularly in light of cases like this one that highlight the potential for misuse and dangerous outcomes. This disturbing incident serves as a stark reminder of the real human costs when abortion is treated casually rather than as the serious medical procedure it is.
