South Carolina – A South Carolina parent has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and unIawfuI negIect of a chiId after authorities say she deIiberately tried to induce a miscariage while about twenty seven weeks pregnant. The local police department says the woman, 20-year-old JoceIyn, told investigators that she took medication to induce Iabor, claiming she did not want to continue the pregnancy.
Investigators say the case started last week when emergency services responded to a call from her home. The woman initially told responders that she was having a miscarriage, but police later allege she admitted to taking ab0rtion-inducing drugs. A search of her cell phone reportedly revealed she had researched abortion piIIs online, and she sent a text the day before giving birth saying that her ab0rtion piIIs came in.
According to court documents, a friend responded to her message by encouraging her and wrote back that she should get it gone. After the medication took effect, the woman gave birth at home. South Carolina authorities say the baby — reportedly born early — was found alive in a toiIet.
During questioning, she admitted she had taken the medicines intended to terminate her prregnancy. But when the baby came, she did not call for help or attempt to provide any aid, according to the South Carolina authorities. She remained at the scene and did not render emergency assistance.
The newborn was taken to a hospital under emergency social services protection. Police say the baby remains in critical condition. During her court hearing, the woman was denied bond.
Investigators allege she knowingly carried the pregnancy to more than six months while seeking to end it using medication. The case is being prosecuted under South Carolina law, which prohibits abortion after fetal cardiac activity is detected, with limited exceptions.
According to the court documents, if convicted, the 20-year-old parent will face up to thirty years in prison for the attempted murder charge and ten years for unlawful neglect.