A 23-year-old woman who terminated her pregnancy has been charged with murder.

A woman ended her pregnancy. Now she is in jail.

On Saturday night, a desperate young woman reportedly took abortion pills she bought online to terminate her secret pregnancy.

She delivered the five-month-old fetus in a neighbour’s car on the way to a hospital. The tiny boy died within 30 minutes.

Now, 23-year-old Kenlissia Jones has been charged with murder.

Ms Jones allegedly told a hospital social services worker she took four pills purchased over the internet from Canada “to induce labor” because she and her boyfriend had broken up.

Local authorities took unprecedented action in arresting the young mother and charging her with malice murder and possession of a dangerous drug (‘abortion pill’ Cytotec).

It is believed to be the first time a woman in the US state Georgia has been charged with murder for ending her pregnancy.

Related: “I know my abortion was the right choice.”

And whether the unusual charges will stick remains to be seen.

According to state laws, abortions after the first trimester (around three months) must be carried out in a specially licenced facility.

But state law also explicitly prohibits prosecuting women for feticide (causing the death of a fetus) involving their own pregnancies, America’s ABC News reports.

Ms Jones’ lawyer and National Advocates for Pregnant Women executive director Lynn Paltrow said the laws seemed to be at odds.

“We don’t believe there is any law in Georgia that allows for the arrest of a woman for the outcome of her pregnancy,” Ms Paltrow said.

District Attorney Greg Edwards said he was reviewing the case, which he believed would likely go before a grand jury because Georgia and federal laws would need to be explored, ABC News reports.

For now, Ms Jones remains in custody. Her two-year-old son is being cared for by her brother, Rico Riggins.

Mr Riggins said the family had no idea his sister was pregnant.

“We lost what would have been a nephew for me. And everything. And then my sister,” Mr Riggins said.

“We’re coping the best we can.”

Watch this news clip for more information:

WALB.com, South Georgia News, Weather, Sports

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