A 2008 Colbert County criminal case played a role in the state Supreme Court’s ruling Friday that Alabama’s chemical endangerment of a child law protects unborn children.

The justices held that “the plain meaning of the word ‘child’ in the chemical endangerment statute includes unborn children.”

The court’s affirmation of the law was hailed as a landmark victory by state Attorney General Luther Strange.

“The Court has ratified our argument that the public policy of our state is to protect life, both born and unborn,” Strange said. “It is a tremendous victory that the Alabama Supreme Court has affirmed the value of all life, including those of unborn children whose lives are among the most vulnerable of all.”

Amanda Helaine Borden Kimbrough’s son, T.K., was born premature on April 29, 2008, and died 19 minutes later after efforts to save him failed.

An autopsy determined that his death was caused by “acute methamphetamine intoxication.”

Kimbrough pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.