Inset: Syeisha Johnson and Elijah Speight (Durham County Jail). Background: The Durham, N.C., apartment where Johnson allegedly delivered a baby after taking an abortion drug during her third trimester (Google Maps).
A North Carolina couple is facing felony charges after authorities say an 18-year-old woman gave birth to a baby boy in a toilet, days after taking an abortion drug while in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Syeisha Johnson, 18, has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, child abuse, and assault inflicting serious bodily injury on an unborn child. Her boyfriend, Elijah Speight, 19, is charged with negligent child abuse.
Durham police said in a warrant that first responders were dispatched on July 29 to an apartment in the 2800 block of Ross Road after receiving a report about a premature birth. Paramedics found the newborn inside a toilet, still with a pulse, and transported him to a hospital, where police said he remains under medical care. Johnson was also taken to the hospital.
Investigators determined the baby was born at 31 weeks.
Police wrote that Johnson found out in June she was approximately 20 weeks pregnant. She allegedly purchased mifepristone online and took the abortion drug a few days before the delivery. According to authorities, Johnson was sitting on the toilet when she gave birth.
“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.”
North Carolina law generally prohibits abortions after 12 weeks, with exceptions in cases involving rape, incest, or when there “exists a life-limiting anomaly.” Johnson has said she did not know she was pregnant until about 20 weeks.
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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