The 22-year-old Suffolk woman who is alleged to have induced an abortion last week by shooting herself in the stomach is the subject of a debate over exactly what crime she committed and what charges she should face.

She was originally charged with using a firearm in the commission of a felony, illegally inducing an abortion and filing a false police report. The firearms charge has since been dropped since illegally inducing an abortion is not one of the felonies for which it is applicable.

Her child was days, if not hours, from birth when Skinner allegedly ended its chances of life outside the womb. It’s obvious that Skinner, if indeed she did what she is accused of doing, needs to be removed from society.

We would hate to see too much time and limited legal resources squandered on her case. If it’s open and shut, as it appears, she should be institutionalized and police and prosecutors then can focus efforts where they will do more good.