Nebraska Police Obtained Facebook Messages About Teen’s Alleged Abortion

Facebook parent Meta provided Nebraska police with messages between a teenager accused of having an illegal abortion and her mother after the social media giant was served with a search warrant, court documents show.

Police in Norfolk, Nebraska, started investigating the alleged abortion in April before the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that established abortion rights. The Supreme Court’s decision has sparked concerns about how online data could be used as criminal evidence against people seeking abortions.

The Lincoln Journal Star earlier reported that 41-year-old Jessica Burgess is facing criminal charges for allegedly helping her daughter, who was 17 years old at the time, abort, burn and bury her fetus. The mother pleaded not guilty, and will face a trial in Madison County District Court. (CNET isn’t identifying the daughter, who was a minor at the time of the alleged abortion.) The teenager told a Norfolk Police detective that she miscarried and gave birth to a stillborn, court documents say.

Nebraska bars most abortions 20 weeks after fertilization and police determined from the teen’s medical records that she was more than 23 weeks pregnant at the time. When the detective interviewed the teenager about the timing of the miscarriage, the teen scrolled through messages on her Facebook Messenger account from April, when she was trying to get her mother’s attention. The detective then identified the mother and daughter’s Facebook accounts.

“I know from prior training and experience, and conversations with other seasoned criminal investigators, that people involved in criminal activity frequently have conversations regarding their criminal activities through various social networking sites, i.e. Facebook,” Ben McBride, a detective for the Norfolk Police Division, said in an affidavit supporting the search warrant to Meta. The document states the detective believes the premises of Meta “are being used for the purpose of securing or keeping evidence related to Prohibited Acts with Skeletal Remains.”

The detective outlined the Facebook data he was seeking related to the investigation, including photos and private messages. The police were then able to seize more than 250,000 kilobytes of data tied to the teenager’s Facebook account, including account information, images, videos and messages, and more than 50,000 KB of data associated with Jessica Burgess’ account, according to court documents.  The Facebook messages suggested that Jessica Burgess had given her daughter instructions about how to take abortion pills after obtaining them, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.

Meta didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment and questions about how many of these types of requests it’s received. Meta spokesman Andy Stone told Forbes that he couldn’t immediately confirm any details about the incident. Motherboard earlier obtained documents about the case that included the messages between the mother and daughter. Neither the mother nor the daughter immediately responded to request for comment.

The police and Meta’s actions have sparked more scrutiny over the social network, which has been plagued with data privacy scandals.

On Tuesday, some Twitter users were urging women to #DeleteFacebook and the hashtag was trending.

Civil rights advocacy group Color of Change also raised concerns that “anti-abortion extremists” would use social media to “coordinate the harassment and bounty hunting of people seeking abortions.”

Messages on Facebook Messenger aren’t encrypted by default, which would prevent Facebook or anyone else from viewing the messages. Facebook Messenger users can send encrypted messaged by turning on a feature known as secret conversations.

Tags:

alex-and-alexa listed on couponmatrix.ukeden listed on couponmatrix.ukgemporia listed on couponmatrix.ukgreene-king listed on couponmatrix.ukvirgin-wines listed on couponmatrix.ukworkwear-express listed on couponmatrix.uk
alex-and-alexa listed on couponmatrix.ukDress your little ones to impress with Alex and Alexa. This kidswear brand is the global style destination for boys and girls - combining cutting edge looks with baby-friendly designs, it’s the perfect pick for luxury looks that are still comfortable and functional. With an Alex and Alexa discount code from us, you can save on picks from big names like Chloe, Stella McCartney and Lacoste. Embrace your little one’s personality with Alex and Alexa!
eden listed on couponmatrix.ukThose seeking religious resources will find a warm welcome at Eden, the business built around supplying Christian texts, media and other essentials for believers nationwide. From the good book through to Christian-related TV series and films, you can use an Eden discount code to enjoy a wealth of Christian supplies for a fraction of the price. Whether you’re a regular at church on Sunday or a busy believer looking for some quick spiritual support, there’s a little something for every Christian at Eden. Eden provides an easy way for newcomers to cut costs on Christian essentials by offering an introductory discount to new customers. All you need to do on your first visit is subscribe to the company newsletter, in exchange for which you’ll receive a unique promo code that’ll save you as much as £5 on your first purchase. Don’t miss out and save some extra cash on your first exploration of Eden at Groupon. Find faith in the pages of equal-minded authors among the dozens of Christian books available at Eden. Offering insights on life, moral lessons and plenty of other teachings passed down through Christ, all you need are the latest Eden voucher codes to cut the cost of some Christian literature. A great accompaniment to classic novels and biographies, Eden Christian books are the perfect way to fill the space both in your soul and on your bookshelf.
gemporia listed on couponmatrix.ukIt's time to make diamonds your best friend with Gemporia. Shop sophisticated pieces and add effortless style to your look with a Gemporia discount code to hand so you can enjoy exquisite pieces for a fraction of the cost. Colourful pendants, rings and glistening bracelets are just the start of a stunning collection, so no time to waste, start browsing those gems and jewels today with Groupon.
greene-king listed on couponmatrix.ukIf you want quality food and drink for affordable prices you will love Greene King. With a heritage of over 200 years and a jaw-dropping 2900 pubs across the UK, Greene King is the quintessential British pub. Bringing a delicious and historic range of beers and fine ales, Greene King breweries are industry leaders in customer experience and original brews. With a Greene King discount code, you can enjoy eating and drinking out for less. Whether you’re with your mates, your family, going on a date, or chilling by yourself, Greene King is the place for you.
virgin-wines listed on couponmatrix.ukWine lovers rejoice, you need never leave the house to enjoy a fresh tipple with Virgin Wines, the delivery service headed by industry experts who love a good glass as much as you. Newcomers are welcome to a Virgin Wines voucher to trial their first crate at a pittance, then feel free to pop back for the next new vintage, whether your preference goes the way of red, white or rosé. So take the dive into a world’s worth of wine today and discover why thousands love to sample and save at Virgin.
workwear-express listed on couponmatrix.ukWhatever your job might be or workwear you need, you can rely on Workwear Express to get you kitted out from top to toe. At Workwear Express you’ll find a packed catalogue of clothing, footwear and accessory options, suitable for every type of workwear sector. With 25 years in the business and counting, Workwear Express is truly valued by a whole host of consumers and business customers who all trust in the expert logo printing and personalisation service. So why not use your workwear express voucher code to go pro and invest in quality products for yourself and your team with Workwear Express.