A 31-year-old Georgia woman has been charged with murder by police who allege she took pills to induce an abortion. The charges against Alexia Moore were filed by local police, though state prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will proceed with the case.

If state prosecutors move forward with the murder charge, it would represent one of the first instances of a woman being prosecuted for terminating a pregnancy in Georgia since the state enacted a 2019 law banning most abortions.

The 2019 Georgia law prohibits abortions after cardiac activity is detected in the embryo, which typically occurs around six weeks of pregnancy. The legislation includes exceptions for cases involving rape, incest, or when the mother's life is in danger.

The case highlights ongoing legal questions about how abortion restrictions are enforced and whether women who obtain abortions can face criminal charges under state laws. Many abortion bans have focused penalties on providers rather than patients.

Details about the specific circumstances of Moore's case, including the timing of the alleged abortion and how police became involved, have not been disclosed. The decision on whether to prosecute will ultimately rest with state prosecutors.