A man from Texas is facing capital murder charges for allegedly giving abortion-inducing drugs to his pregnant girlfriend without her consent, leading to the death of their unborn child.
As detailed in a press release from Parker County, police detained Justin Anthony Banta earlier this month in relation to a capital murder case. The investigation revolves around his girlfriend’s miscarriage and potential tampering with evidence.
Although married, Banta reportedly had an affair with the victim in September 2024, at which time she told him she was pregnant. Banta suggested an abortion and mentioned to his wife that he planned to order abortion medication online. However, the victim wished to keep the child.
On October 17, 2024, the victim met Banta at a coffee shop after her sonogram appointment, where she learned she had a healthy baby with a strong heartbeat at six weeks pregnant. The victim suspects Banta laced her drink and food with abortion-inducing drugs, causing her to miscarry two days later.
FOX NEWS reported that video footage shows Banta stirring something into a light-colored cup before going to his vehicle and returning with a plate of cookies.
Tests on the cookies revealed the presence of drugs used to induce medical abortions, including mifepristone and misoprostol.
Investigators collected Banta’s cell phone as evidence during an interview concerning the miscarriage. Banta, who worked in the IT Department at the U.S. Department of Justice, allegedly performed a remote reset on the phone after leaving the interview, possibly deleting important evidence.
Authorities booked Banta into Parker County Jail on charges of tampering with physical evidence filed by the Parker County Sheriff’s Office and a capital murder charge filed in Tarrant County by the Texas Rangers.
[Feature Photo via Parker County SO]
