Charleston Teen Gets Life Sentence in Unborn Baby's Death
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Updated: 10:53 PM Jul 8, 2009
Charleston Teen Gets Life Sentence in Unborn Baby's Death
A teenager convicted of murdering an unborn baby could spend the rest of his life behind bars. Since he was underage at the time, his sentence will be reconsidered when he turns 18.
Posted: 10:40 AM Jul 8, 2009
Reporter: Anna Baxter
Email Address: anna.baxter@wsaz.com
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A teenager convicted of murdering an unborn baby could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

A judge sentenced Kelly Chapman, 16 of Charleston, Wednesday to life in prison without mercy. Typically, "without mercy" means no chance of parole. However, by law, since Chapman is a juvenile the judge has to reconsider his sentencing when he turns 18.

Back in May, Chapman pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder.

He was just 15-years-old when he shot Nastasha Folden in the stomach back last year. Folden was five months pregnant and lost her baby.

Police say Folden was arguing with Chapman when he threatened to get a gun and shoot her.

Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants believes this is the first time the West Virginia's Unborn Crime Victim's Act has been used. The law treats a pregnant woman and her unborn baby as separate victims.

The judge also sentenced Chapman to 15 years consecutively on the attempted murder charge.

Latest Comments

Posted by: RIGHT AND WRONG on Aug 21, 2009 at 05:15 PM

What this young man did was no doubt wrong and he needs to be punished, however I do agree with the other comment that he should have been charged with illegal abortion verses murder because many times the mother aborts her baby when the father wanted the child and in this case it could have been vise versa the man wanted the baby aborted the woman did not and he took problem into his own hands. I DO NOT agree with his actions however you cant say kill this way its RIGHT but do it this way its WRONG. This young man needs punishment but life without mercy I'm not so sure about. First off how did a child obtain a gun not one child but two? read were acusations were made that this woman shot at his sister first ect....GUN LAWS remember those? So many factors here that needs addressed not just this young mans faults but many others at hand. PARENTS did these kids not have any?
Posted by: Dreama on Jul 21, 2009 at 03:36 PM

To "REV" Mike...I know this isn't a religious debate, but, I feel sorry for you and others who believe that only 144,000 will make it to Heaven. What happened to John 3:16? For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. I'm sure hoping that 'whosoever' takes in more than 144,000. If not, I believe everyone living now is so screwed! I'm sure the 144,000 have already been collected. So, you say we can look forward to a fate worse than death? Wow, not much hope then, is there? So what happens now? What's the use in living right, believing in God, accepting HIM as personal Saviour if He already has His chosen few? As far as christians being forgiving, it certainly does NOT mean that we can not expect JUSTICE to be carried out for these crimes. How did you determine that he should get 15 years? Why 15? Why not 70 for the life span this baby could've had?
Posted by: sorry for you on Jul 10, 2009 at 01:25 PM

As a mother who went through something like this I can say that it is the worst kind of pain.To know that one minute he was there, kicking,moving alive,The next minute he's dead.That is the worst thing a happy pregnant woman can go through.I agree with a lot of the comments that are on here,The boy deserves jail or prison time for what he's done.I'm glad he got it.My heart goes out to the mother in this case.It's been 18 years since my son was taken at almost 6 months along.I think about it every day.But it does get better.There will be days when you feel you can't go on but you have other kids who need you.Don't make my mistake and forget your living kids because you are so upset over the one that is gone.
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