Police: Baby Dies After Pregnant Woman Shoots Self In Stomach
Coroner Rules Death A Homicide
ELYRIA, Ohio -- Elyria police said a pregnant woman shot herself in the stomach, killing her baby, but the woman may not face any criminal charges.
The Cuyahoga County coroner handled the autopsy and this week, Dr. Frank Miller ruled the death of the baby girl a homicide.
Still, it may be difficult for police and prosecutors to go after the 36-year-old woman for murder, reported NewsChannel5's Bob Jones.
Police said the woman walked into Chris's Bar on Sept. 1 looking for her boyfriend, believed to be the father of the baby.
Investigators said that a short time later, the couple got into the man's pickup truck parked at a nearby parking lot, and during an argument, the woman took a semiautomatic pistol and shot herself in the abdomen.
Elyria police responded within minutes, trying to figure out who shot the five-months pregnant woman, later determining that the wound was self-inflicted.
Police said the woman was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center.
Three days later, baby Samantha was delivered, weighing about a half a pound, but she only lived two hours.
Despite the homicide ruling, Miller said police may not be able to file murder charges, making a comparison to abortion.
Police said they have not yet closed the case.
Detectives said they are still trying to figure out why the woman would shoot herself in the abdomen.
Neighbors said they witnessed the woman and her boyfriend argue in the same parking lot several times before the shooting.
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She should be charged with murder; I hope they're able to do so. 
