A Texas abortion case believed to be the first criminal prosecution under the state’s post-Dobbs abortion law is moving forward after prosecutors alleged a man secretly administered abortion-inducing drugs to a pregnant woman without her knowledge or consent, resulting in the death of her unborn daughter.
Judge Lisa Michalk will preside over a case filed in the 221st District Court this summer. In a May 21 court appearance, Jon Rueben Demeter, who was indicted by a grand jury on two first-degree felonies, had bond set at $150,000 on each of the charges.
This is the first instance of the application of the law prohibiting the “performance of an abortion” in the state of Texas since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision enabled states to determine abortion law.
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The other felony count was for “injury to a child.”
Demeter, 25, is alleged to have secretly administered an abortion-inducing drug to a pregnant woman without her knowledge or consent, which resulted in the death of her unborn child.
In a May press release from Michael R. Holley, District Attorney, the indictment and list of charges were announced.
Chief Prosecutor for Montgomery County, Laura Hill, stated, “The case reflects the seriousness with which prosecutors and investigators approach allegations involving bodily autonomy, personal safety, and the protection of victims.”
In a press conference, Holley, Hill, Sheriff Wesley Doolittle and Detective Brandon Bartoskewitz from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office spoke with reporters.
Early on Holley issued aggravated assault charges against Demeter but following the doctrine of “in pari materia” he and his team determined this case was more precisely addressed by the abortion statute.
Holley began the press conference quoting Dr. Seuss, “A person’s a person no matter how small.”
Then he stated, “I’m grateful I live in a place where little lives matter. And I’m grateful I live in a place where our ladies’ lives matter and that violence against our ladies is unacceptable in any form.”
“Let me be absolutely clear that here in Montgomery County, if you take a life, you will be held accountable,” Sheriff Doolittle noted in regard to the loss of life of the unborn baby girl. “Presley Mae’s life was intentionally and tragically taken from her. I will not stand for it.”
The Sheriff’s office was made aware of the situation on February 21 when Deputies were called to the hospital over a miscarriage which occurred under suspicious circumstances. Just two days later, Demeter was arrested.
Holley noted that the victim didn’t deserve this. “This young lady is brave and strong and did nothing wrong except to be associated with this gentleman.”
“This case represents allegations of deliberate deception that resulted in devastating consequences,” Holley said. “The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office will continue to pursue justice based on the facts, the evidence, and the laws of the State of Texas.”
During the press conference, Holley explained that anywhere in the U.S., what happened would be illegal. It has never been legal to perform an abortion against a woman’s consent.
Aggravated assault involving a family or household member with a weapon causing serious bodily injury is a first-degree felony in Texas. The minimum punishment is 5 years in prison and the maximum can be a life sentence and up to a $10,000 fine.
The young woman told investigators that Demeter wanted her to get an abortion. He offered to pay for it along with her travel out of state.
Detective Bartoskewitz reported that, working from the search warrant, they found evidence at the accused defendant’s home which was consistent with abortion inducing drugs being present. This also was consistent with witness interviews.
The Attorney General’s office is also involved in aiding the investigation into the source of the drugs the accused allegedly procured.
Sheriff Doolittle described the method of administering the abortion drug, “He covertly crushed that medication and mixed it in a water bottle with a liquid I.V. packet, and this was done with this specific intent to cause the death of the child.”
The child, Presley Mae, was stillborn at 14 weeks gestation, weighing about 55 grams.
Mifepristone is the drug investigators believe Demeter gave to the pregnant woman. It is illegal to supply this drug in Texas under the state’s abortion ban. The Sheriff indicated that their investigation revealed Demeter obtained the drug online and had it delivered to his home.
The sheriff’s office noted that the young lady intended to keep her daughter, Presley Mae.
“She had 10 fingers, 10 toes, and an entire lifetime of possibilities ahead of her. That future was stolen before it ever had a chance to begin,” stated Doolittle. “We will not rest, and we will pursue every lead, uncover every answer, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”
LifeNews Note: Kim Hayes is a writer for Pregnancy Help News. She has been a teacher, author, speaker and facilitator for marriage and family issues and married for over 35 years to Jeff, with four grown children. Kim’s counseling experience included 21 years as a volunteer consultant and trainer at Pregnancy Decision Health Centers. She was the Athletic Director of Columbus Crusaders Youth Sports ministry for 15 years. Kim has written several books, including the latest release, Prodigal Rewind: The Grateful Son. This originally appeared at Pregnancy Help News.
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