In the wake of a Supreme Court decision that has emboldened prosecutors, a troubling trend has emerged in the United States: the aggressive legal targeting of pregnant women and new mothers. Special correspondent Sarah Varney reports from South Carolina, where the case of Lauren Smith highlights the profound impact of these legal strategies on families.

In 2019, Lauren gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Audrey, but her joy was short-lived. Just days after her delivery, a caseworker informed her that she would not be taking her baby home. \"I was completely blindsided,\" Lauren recalled, expressing the emotional turmoil that followed. A urine drug screen, taken without her consent, revealed marijuana use during her pregnancy, leading to her baby testing positive for THC.

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against marijuana use during pregnancy, it also acknowledges the need for more research on its effects on fetal development. Despite this ambiguity, Lauren was arrested six months after giving birth and charged with felony child neglect. She now faces a trial set for next month, with the possibility of a ten-year prison sentence looming over her.

The repercussions of this legal battle have been devastating for Lauren and her family. \"This has caused so much strain on my family, on my kids,\" she said, emphasizing the mental and emotional toll of her situation. Lauren's experience is not isolated; she is among hundreds of women across the country who have faced similar legal challenges related to their pregnancies.

Michelle Goodwin, a law professor at Georgetown University and author of \"Policing the Womb,\" highlights the broader implications of these cases, noting that many women are being surveilled and prosecuted for their pregnancy-related choices. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, the experiences of women like Lauren serve as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding maternal health and legal accountability in America.