Speaking outside court this week, Elodie and Andrew Aldridge protested that their son Remi was not considered a person in the eyes of the law because he died at 34 weeks.

“My son was nothing in the eyes of the law,” Elodie said.

Chrystle Olivia Kemp, 26, who was responsible for the massacre, pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving in a three-car crash at a junction in Shepparton’s east in October last year.

But the capital murder charge relates to the death of Kemp’s five-year-old niece, Savannah, who was a passenger in Kemp’s vehicle and suffered serious injuries to her chest, legs and neck.

The charge of causing serious injury is linked to Elodie, who was pregnant with Remi at the time.

Elodie suffered serious hip and abdominal injuries and paramedics took her to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital, where Remi was stillborn.

Andrew said he held Remi in his arms after the tragedy.

“I kept him. He was a little boy. “He was a child,” he said.

“But in the eyes of the law, he was a fetus and my wife was injured.”

Parents are pleading for changes to legislation to recognize Remi.

“It’s too late for us now, but if we can make changes so other families don’t have to go through this, we’ll fight for it,” Elodie said.

But the issue intersects with abortion legislation in Victoria, and the government has warned that recognition of the law could impact women’s rights to access abortion.

“A woman or a pregnant person can access an abortion up to 24 weeks gestational age,” the Victorian Department of Health website states.

“Beyond 24 weeks, a medical doctor may provide an abortion if another medical doctor agrees that an abortion is appropriate in all cases.

The ministry added that surgical abortion can be provided for up to 24 weeks and “beyond that in certain cases”.

Originally published as: Parents call on Victorian government to recognize baby Remi after car crash