Nebraska teen in abortion case appears in court

MADISON COUNTY, Neb. (WOWT) – A Northeast Nebraska teen made an look in courtroom Monday in an abortion case.

Celeste Burgess, 18, appeared in district courtroom in Madison, Nebraska for a pretrial listening to. She is accused of taking capsules to abort her 29-week-old child, setting the fetus on hearth, after which disposing of the physique in a discipline north of city when she was 17 years outdated.

In Nebraska, abortions are banned after 20 weeks. She is now 18 years outdated and being charged as an grownup.

Her look lasted lower than two minutes. Burgess’ lawyer requested for and was granted a continuance.

“There have been some motions filed…I filed some motions. The protection could file some motions. Simply those I filed needed to do with getting preliminary determinations on the admissibility of sure proof,” mentioned Madison County Legal professional Joseph Smith.

Court docket paperwork present these motions together with photos of the newborn taken by regulation enforcement, the admissibility of Celeste Burgess’ statements, and medical skilled testimony.

Celeste Burgess was allegedly aided by her mom, Jessica, 41, and Tanner Barnhill, 22. All are from Norfolk.

Barnhill has particular wants and appeared in courtroom final week. He isn’t the daddy of the kid and he says he was simply serving to a buddy. He was sentenced to 9 months of probation.

“Effectively, everyone that was concerned, if it goes to trial in fact…witnesses are witnesses,” mentioned Smith.

Investigators found a number of non-public exchanges on social media between Celeste and Jessica Burgess within the days main as much as the abortion, the place they allegedly mentioned the capsules.

“We filed so many subpoenas and stuff for data on telephones…social media…PayPal. Years in the past I didn’t have that. 30 years in the past…20 years in the past. It was all towers and stuff we may solely get sure information. Folks share stuff on social media that they wouldn’t share in any other case,” mentioned Smith.

Smith says the particulars of this case make it distinctive.

“I don’t know that that is the kind of state of affairs that arises fairly often,” mentioned Smith.

Celeste Burgess is free on a recognizance bond. She is due again in courtroom on September 26.

Her mom, Jessica, is due in courtroom later this week.

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