Man sneaked abortion drug into pregnant woman's water bottle and killed her unborn child, prosecutors say – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Montgomery County, Texas – Authorities have filed two first-degree felony charges against a 25-year-old man accused of secretly giving a pregnant woman medication designed to end her pregnancy. The case centers on allegations that the defendant obtained the drug online and mixed it into a beverage without the woman’s knowledge or consent. Prosecutors say the actions resulted in the death of the unborn child at approximately 14 weeks.
Core Allegations Against the Defendant
John Ruben Demeter faces one count of illegal performance of an abortion and one count of injury to a child. Court documents state he crushed abortion-inducing medication and added it to a water bottle containing a liquid IV packet. The woman later sought medical care after realizing she had ingested the substance without her approval.
Investigators determined the pregnancy ended when the woman delivered a stillborn child named Presley Mae at a local hospital. The infant weighed about 55 grams. Officials described the administration of the drug as deliberate and covert, with the specific intent to cause the child’s death.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Deputies responded to the hospital after reports of a miscarriage under suspicious circumstances. The woman told investigators that her then-boyfriend had urged her to end the pregnancy and offered to pay for travel to obtain the procedure out of state. She suspected he had poisoned her to achieve that outcome.
Sheriff Wesley Doolittle said during a press conference that Demeter ordered the medication online and had it delivered to his home. Authorities believe he crushed the pills and mixed them into at least one drink given to the woman. The drug involved was mifepristone, which is illegal in Texas under the state’s current abortion ban.
Prosecutors noted that the case may mark the first prosecution of its kind under the state’s anti-abortion statute. The allegations involve non-consensual administration of medication and resulting harm to the unborn child.
Key developments in the case:
- Demeter was arrested on February 23 and has remained in the Montgomery County Jail.
- Initial charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon were later replaced by the two current felonies.
- Officials emphasized that the charges focus solely on the alleged covert actions and their consequences.
Statements From Prosecutors and Next Steps
District Attorney Mike Holley described the allegations as involving deliberate deception with devastating results. He said the office will continue to pursue justice based on the facts, evidence, and Texas law. Prosecutor Laura Hill called the conduct deeply troubling and harmful, stressing the need to evaluate evidence carefully and seek justice for victims.
Demeter remains detained as the case proceeds. If convicted on the two first-degree felonies, he could face up to 10 years in prison. Officials stressed that media attention has not altered the focus on the specific allegations of non-consensual medication use.
