Guilty pleas in dirty abortion clinic case

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PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Two women pleaded guilty Thursday to charges related to participating in the in deaths of seven babies and one woman at a Philadelphia abortion clinic.

Adrienne Moton, 34, and Sherry West, 52, were among nine defendants in the case against workers at a dirty abortion clinic where pregnancies were illegally terminated, the Philadelphia Daily News reported Thursday.

Dr. Kermit Gosnell, of Women's Medical Society, is accused of cutting the spinal cords of seven babies born alive at the clinic. He is also charged with third-degree murder in the death of Karnamaya Mongar, who died in November 2009 of an overdose of medication he prescribed to her.

Moton, of Upper Darby, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in the death of "Baby D," conspiracy to commit third-degree murder, participating in a corrupt organization and conspiracy to participate in a corrupt organization. The unlicensed clinic worker could face as much as 120 years in state prison and a fine of as much as $125,000.

West, of Newark, Del., pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in the death of Mongar, conspiracy to commit third-degree murder, drug delivery resulting in death, participating in a corrupt organization and conspiracy to participate in a corrupt organization. Also unlicensed, West routinely administered anesthesia to patients and could face as much as 140 years in prison and a fine as much as $175,000.

Common Pleas Judge Benjamin Lerner set a sentencing date of Dec. 2 for both women.