A woman in Tift County, Georgia will not face criminal charges for putting her unborn fetus in a dumpster following a miscarriage, after authorities declined to proceed with the case. Image courtesy of Tift County, Georgia
April 5 (UPI) — A woman in Georgia will not face criminal charges for putting her unborn fetus in a dumpster following a miscarriage, after authorities declined to proceed with the case.
Tift County District Attorney Patrick Warren said the state would not proceed with charges against Selena Chandler-Scott, who was arrested last month.
The 24-year-old resident of Tufton, Ga., was initially charged with concealing the death of another person and one count of abandonment of a dead body, after discarding the remains in a dumpster outside her home.
The state medical examiner later determined the fetus had not taken a breath outside the womb. Officials also determined the fetus was approximately 19 weeks old and non-viable at the time of Chandler-Scott’s miscarriage.
There were no signs of trauma or other foul play, officials said.
“After thorough examination of the facts and the law, my office has determined that continuing prosecution is not legally sustainable and not in the interest of justice. This case is heartbreaking and emotionally difficult for everyone involved, but our decision must be grounded in law, not emotion or speculation,” Warren said in an interview with WALB TV.
Georgia’s current laws ban abortion procedures after six weeks of pregnancy, before most women know they are pregnant.
A bill proposed last month would see the state enact stricter laws, banning abortions at the embryonic stage.
Chandler-Scott told authorities she did not know what to do after suffering the misscarriage.
“This was a disturbing and tragic case. I want to acknowledge the pain felt across the community. I do not condone the way the remains were handled, and I understand that her actions were distressing to many. But my duty is not to punish what feels wrong-it is to uphold the law with fairness and integrity,” Warren told WALB TV.
“While some may feel my decision excuses Ms. Chandler-Scott’s conduct, justice must be based on law, not emotion. My hope is that this dismissal allows Ms. Chandler-Scott and the Tifton community to begin a process of recovery. As with any dismissal, it is important to note that although the investigation, to my knowledge, is complete, if additional information or incriminating evidence becomes available that is not already in the case file, my office may review this case again for prosecution.”
This story has been updated with new information
OXFORD − Ole Miss football has a chance to avenge its only loss of the season in the College Football Playoff.
The Rebels (12-1) face Georgia (12-1) in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 (7 p.m., ESPN) in New Orleans. It’s the second round of CFP games.
The Bulldogs are the No. 3 seed in the CFP and got a bye week in the first round. Ole Miss, the No. 6 seed, beat Tulane 41-10 on Dec. 20 to advance.
Georgia is the only team that Ole Miss has lost to. The Bulldogs won a regular season game 43-35 on Oct. 18.
Buy Ole Miss vs. Georgia
Expect a lower-scoring game that the regular season contest. It would be hard to repeat that game that featured 78 total points and just two combined punts.
It doesn’t seem like a matchup between top-five SEC defenses, but it is. Georgia has allowed 15.9 points per game (No. 2 in the SEC) and Ole Miss has given up 19.3 (No. 5 in the SEC).
The Bulldogs have allowed 10 points or less in each of their past four games, including a 28-7 win vs. Alabama in the SEC Championship. Ole Miss’ defense has high-end talent but less consistency.
Georgia 30, Ole Miss 21: Georgia already beat Ole Miss once, and it’s playing its best football of the season.
The Rebels will face the Bulldogs on Jan. 1 at Ceasers Superdome in New Orleans (7 p.m., ESPN).
You can find College Football Playoff tickets for Ole Miss vs. Georgia on StubHub.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
Kewan Lacy left Rebels’ win over Tulane in third quarter, will be further evaluated
Tulane defensive lineman Geordan Guidry makes a tackle against Mississippi running back Kewan Lacy (5) during the first round of an NCAA College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Oxford, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The status of Ole Miss All-American tailback Kewan Lacy is in question after he left the Rebels’ first-round playoff game against Tulane holding his left shoulder.
Ole Miss coach Pete Golding reportedly said after the game Lacy has a “bruised shoulder” and will undergo further evaluation.
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Mike is in his 10th season covering SEC and Georgia athletics for AJC-DawgNation and has 25 years of CFB experience. Mike is a Heisman Trophy voter and former Football Writers President who was named the National FWAA Beat Writer of the Year in January, 2018.
Stars like Deuce Lawrence and Tyriq Green standout in a week of big plays and historic performances.
Thomas County Central running back Deuce Lawrence (right) celebrates with offensive lineman Zion Garlington after Lawrence scored during the first half of their Class 5A championship game on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)
Standout players weren’t hard to find all week at the Georgia High School Association football state championships at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Four University of Georgia signees battled for a de facto national championship, a Wake Forest signee broke a GHSA rushing record and several other impact players made their case for more scholarship offers in a star-studded week.
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Jack Leo is a sports writer and reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jack worked for the AJC throughout his four years studying journalism and sports media at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia. He’s now focused on telling stories in the grassroots: bringing comprehensive coverage of high school sports for AJC Varsity.
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