Nebraska Mother Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Providing Daughter with Pills for Illegal Abortion

A Nebraska mother was sentenced to two years in prison on Friday for providing her teenage daughter with pills for an abortion and helping to burn and bury the fetus.

Jessica Burgess, 42, pleaded guilty in July to tampering with human remains, false reporting and providing an abortion after at least 20 weeks of gestation, which is illegal in Nebraska. Madison County District Judge Mark Johnson sentenced her Friday to one year in prison for each count, with the first two to run concurrently.

According to court documents, Burgess admitted to giving her daughter pills to induce an abortion and helping to burn and bury the fetus in a shallow grave. He said Burgess demonstrated that she knew she was breaking the state’s abortion law by her actions.

Burgess’ attorney, Christopher Johnson, said his client was “deeply remorseful” and had accepted responsibility for her actions. He said she had been a “good mother” to her daughter and had been trying to protect her.

The case has sparked a debate over abortion laws in Nebraska, with some arguing that the law should be changed to allow for abortions in cases of rape or incest. Others have argued that the law should remain as it is, with exceptions for cases of medical necessity.