Texas man accused of covertly drugging girlfriend to induce abortion

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (TCN) — A 25-year-old man has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury after authorities allege he drugged his girlfriend with abortion medication.

KBTX reports that on Feb. 21, deputies were called to a hospital for a report of a patient who had suffered a miscarriage under suspicious circumstances. The woman, whose name has not been released, told authorities she suspected she had been given a drug to end her pregnancy. The child, Presley Mae, was stillborn at the hospital, per KBTX.

An investigation revealed the woman’s boyfriend, Jon Rueben Gabriel Demeter, had allegedly repeatedly tried to convince her to end her pregnancy and had offered to pay for her to travel out of state to terminate, KBTX reports. 

Click2Houston reports Demeter obtained mifepristone, a medication used in medication abortions, and allegedly covertly gave it to the victim. Trauma therapist Chau Nguyen told the outlet the case highlights reproductive coercion. “This act of abuse is a form of domestic violence,” Nguyen said.

Demeter was arrested and charged on Feb. 23 and remains held without bond. Authorities say more charges could be added, KBTX reports.

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