Inset: Syeisha Johnson and Elijah Speight (Durham County Jail). Background: Apartment in Durham, N.C., where Johnson allegedly gave birth to a child after taking an abortion drug in her third trimester (Google Maps).
A couple from North Carolina is facing felonies after a woman gave birth to a baby boy in a toilet and left him there days after she took an abortion drug in the third trimester of her pregnancy.
Syeisha Johnson, 18, stands accused of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, child abuse and assault inflicting serious bodily injury on an unborn child. Her boyfriend, 19-year-old Elijah Speight, is charged with negligent child abuse.
According to a warrant from Durham police, first responders were called to an apartment on July 29 in the 2800 block of Ross Road in Durham for a call about a child born prematurely. Paramedics found the newborn in a toilet. He had a pulse and was rushed to the hospital, where he continues to receive treatment, police said. Johnson also went to the hospital.
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Authorities determined the child was born at 31 weeks.
Johnson learned in June that she was about 20 weeks pregnant, cops wrote. She allegedly ordered the abortion drug mifepristone online and took it a few days before giving birth. The defendant was sitting on the toilet and gave birth to the child, according to police.
“The child was left in the toilet,” the warrant states. “911 was then called. Mr. Speight stated the medication is located in Ms. Johnson’s purse.”
In the Tar Heel State, abortion is illegal after 12 weeks, with exceptions if the pregnancy is through rape or incest or if there “exists a life-limiting anomaly.” Johnson claims she did not even know she was pregnant until week 20.
Police submitted its investigation to the Durham County District Attorney’s Office.
“I’ve been on the record, over and over again, saying that I believe a woman has the right to choose and has the right to make decisions about her own body,” District Attorney Satana Deberry told reporters. “And we will review the evidence in this case in that light.”
Johnson and Speight were arrested and taken to the Durham County Jail, where they have since posted their $1,000 bonds. They are scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 26.
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