Jessica Burgess, 41, (right) was charged with three felonies and two misdemeanors after helping her daughter perform an at-home abortion

A Nebraska woman and her 17-year-old daughter are facing felony charges after the mother allegedly helped her daughter abort, burn and bury her fetus.

Celeste Burgess was reportedly nearly six months pregnant when her mother, Jessica Burgess, helped her carry out an abortion.

The pair claimed Celeste, then 17, accidentally had a stillbirth while in the shower before they placed the fetus in a box, burned it and buried it on a property located north of Norfolk.

Jessica, 41, was hit with five felonies pertaining to the incident. Celeste, who is being tried as an adult, was charged with three. Both women have pleaded not guilty. 

Tanner Barnhill, 22, was charged with helping the pair dispose of the fetus. He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor and will be sentenced later this month.

Jessica Burgess, 41, (right) was charged with three felonies and two misdemeanors after helping her daughter perform an at-home abortion

Jessica Burgess, 41, (right) was charged with three felonies and two misdemeanors after helping her daughter perform an at-home abortion

Norfolk police launched an investigation into the Burgess family in April after receiving a tip that Celeste had miscarried and buried the body.

Detectives obtained a copy of the teen’s medical records and determined she was 23 weeks pregnant at the time of the alleged incident, with an expected due date of July 3.

When officials interviewed Celeste, she claimed she had miscarried on April 22 sometime after midnight, according to an affidavit obtained by KMTV.

She told police she told her mother what happened, placed the fetus in a bag and then inside a box in the back of a cargo van.

Jessica and Celeste drove to a property north of Norfolk, allegedly belonging to Barnhill’s parents, and buried the body. The affidavit does not specify when the burial happened, but notes Barnhill helped with the task. 

On April 29, Barnhill showed investigators where the fetus was buried and told authorities that Jessica and Celeste had tried to burn it before burying it.

When officials exhumed the body, it showed signs of ‘thermal injuries.’ 

Celeste Burgess, 17, claims she had a stillbirth in the bathroom of her family's Nebraska home on April 22. Investigators say she allegedly took an abortion pill at 23 weeks pregnant

Celeste Burgess, 17, claims she had a stillbirth in the bathroom of her family’s Nebraska home on April 22. Investigators say she allegedly took an abortion pill at 23 weeks pregnant

During their investigation, officials also discovered Facebook messages between the mother-daughter duo in which they were discussing abortion pills. The messages revealed that Jessica advised her daughter on how to use the pills. Celeste reportedly stated that she couldn't wait to get the 'thing' out of her body

During their investigation, officials also discovered Facebook messages between the mother-daughter duo in which they were discussing abortion pills. The messages revealed that Jessica advised her daughter on how to use the pills. Celeste reportedly stated that she couldn’t wait to get the ‘thing’ out of her body 

During their investigation, officials also discovered Facebook messages between the mother-daughter duo in which they were discussing abortion pills.

The messages – sent April 20, two days before the alleged stillbirth – revealed that Jessica advised her daughter on how to use the pills.

Celeste reportedly stated that she couldn’t wait to get the ‘thing’ out of her body.

Jessica confirmed they would ‘burn the evidence afterward.’ 

Both women were charged in June with removing, concealing or abandoning a dead human body — a felony. They were also hit with misdemeanor charges of concealing the death of another person and false reporting. 

A month later, the Madison County Attorney added two more felonies against Jessica: performing or attempting abortion at more than 20 weeks and performing an abortion as a non-licensed doctor.

Prosecutor Joseph Smith said it was the first time in his 32-year career with the county that he filed those charges.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever had a case like this,’ he told The Lincoln Journal Star on Friday. ‘Usually, abortions are performed in hospitals, and doctors are involved, and it’s not the type of stuff that occurred in this case.’

Both women have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial. 

Jessica was released from jail on June 27 after posting a $10,00 bond, NTV reported. She is scheduled to appear in court on September 2.

Celeste was released on July 21 after posting a $20,000 bond and is scheduled for court on August 29.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOP1cdEWTUQ

On April 29, Barnhill showed investigators where the fetus was buried and told authorities that Jessica and Celeste had tried to burn it before burying it. When officials exhumed the body, it showed signs of 'thermal injuries'

On April 29, Barnhill showed investigators where the fetus was buried and told authorities that Jessica and Celeste had tried to burn it before burying it. When officials exhumed the body, it showed signs of ‘thermal injuries’

Nebraska currently allows abortions up to 20 weeks post-fertilization. 

Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts had expressed interest in calling a special session to further restrict abortion access, saying he would support a near-total ban with no exceptions for rape or incest.

Nebraska currently allows abortions up to 20 weeks post-fertilization. Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts (pictured in 2017) considered calling a special session to further restrict abortion access, but on Monday said he lacked the votes to pass a 12-week abortion ban

Nebraska currently allows abortions up to 20 weeks post-fertilization. Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts (pictured in 2017) considered calling a special session to further restrict abortion access, but on Monday said he lacked the votes to pass a 12-week abortion ban

But in a statement on Monday, the governor said only 30 state senators would support a ban on abortions past 12 weeks. The legislation requires 33 votes to pass.

Nebraska’s state legislature is unicameral, meaning it only has one chamber, and is comprised of 32 Republicans and 17 Democrats.

‘It is deeply saddening that only 30 Nebraska state senators are willing to come back to Lincoln this fall in order to protect innocent life,’ Ricketts said. 

‘As Governor, I will continue doing whatever I can in my power to affirm the rights of pre-born babies and to support pregnant women, children, and families in need.’

Rickett’s statement comes as several other Republican-led states have grappled in recent weeks with how far to go in restricting abortion access after the US Supreme Court in June overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. 

Indiana on Friday became the first state to pass a new abortion ban since Roe’s overturn. The state’s ban prohibits all abortions except when the life of the mother is endangered, the fetus develops a fatal abnormality or the pregnancy results from rape or incest but has not advanced beyond 10 weeks of gestation.

West Virginia’s legislature, also led by Republicans, is on the verge of passing a near-total abortion ban during a special session this summer. But lawmakers disagree over whether doctors who perform abortions outside narrow exceptions should face prison time. 

You May Also Like

2024 DC/Marvel TV Tournament – Sweet Sixteen, Day One

It’s the 15th annual CSBG DC/Marvel Tournament! This time around, you will…

Desert Island Discs: Kate Moss was targeted by predators as a teen model

As the queen of the catwalk for three decades, interview-shy Kate Moss…

New Jersey boardwalk games top cost to play may rise to $20: Proposal

It may cost you more to play your favorite claw and Skee-Ball game…

Connecticut Democrats claim Gov. Ron DeSantis has made it a crime to mention one in 14 Americans – twitchy.com

As Twitchy reported earlier, one of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporters who…