Kings County Can Prosecute Woman in Fetus Death Case Over Becerra Objection

By David Taub, Senior Reporter

Published 4 years ago on

December 24, 2020

The state Supreme Court has ruled that Kings County can continue its case against a woman accused of killing her unborn baby because of drug use.

Kings County District Attorney Keith Fagundes’ office charged Chelsea Becker, of Hanford, with murder after a stillbirth in 2019. Becker appealed the charges, and had support from California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

Becerra, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for Health and Human Services secretary, said a 1970 law to include the death of a fetus should not be interpreted to include a death due to drug use.

“(The law) did not intend to sweep in a woman’s own actions that might result in a miscarriage or stillbirth. This reading follows from the language of section 187. The statute expressly excludes abortion and any act that ‘was solicited, aided, abetted, or consented to by the mother of the fetus,” Becerra wrote in a letter to the state Supreme Court.

Supreme Court Denies Hearing Case

The state high court declined to hear the case, Becker v. S.C. (People), in a decision released Wednesday. It was an appeal of a Fresno-based Fifth District Court of Appeal denial on Oct. 15.

The decision allows for Kings County to continue prosecuting its case.

Several women’s and reproductive rights groups also filed briefs supporting Becker.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported this story on Wednesday.

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David Taub,

Senior Reporter

Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email