Documented Cases of Abortion Pill Poisonings and Forced Abortions
As chemical abortion drugs become increasingly available through online providers and mail-order distribution, reports of women being unknowingly drugged or pressured into abortions continue to emerge across the United States.
Heartbeat International regularly hears from women who do not want an abortion but are facing significant pressure from a boyfriend, spouse, or family member through the Abortion Pill Rescue Network. Tragically, some cases involve abortion drugs being administered without the woman’s knowledge or consent.
This page documents publicly reported incidents involving abortion pill poisonings, coerced abortions, and criminal allegations tied to abortion drugs. Sadly, this list continues to grow and will be updated as new incidents arise.
REPORTED INCIDENTS
Kentucky | May 25, 2026
A woman from Glasgow, Kentucky, alleged that her boyfriend replaced her medication with abortion drugs in an attempt to kill her unborn child. The baby survived.
Outcome: Child survived
Texas | May 20, 2026
Jon Rueben Demeter, 25, was indicted on allegations that he secretly administered an abortion-inducing drug to a pregnant woman without her knowledge or consent, resulting in the death of her unborn child at 14 weeks gestation.
Outcome: Miscarriage
Texas | 2025
Justin Anthony Banta was charged with capital murder and evidence tampering after authorities alleged he secretly administered abortion drugs to his pregnant girlfriend without her knowledge or consent by placing crushed pills into her drink. The woman had previously indicated she wanted to keep her child.
Outcome: Miscarriage
Texas | August 13, 2025
A Texas woman, identified as Liana, filed a lawsuit against her boyfriend and online abortion provider Aid Access after she says abortion drugs were prescribed and shipped to her boyfriend, who allegedly poisoned her without her knowledge or consent. The incident resulted in the loss of her child.
Outcome: Miscarriage
Washington | 2025
Nurse practitioner David Coots pleaded guilty to assault and witness tampering charges after prosecutors alleged he inserted abortion medication into a woman's body without her knowledge or consent. The woman later suffered bleeding and pregnancy loss.
Outcome: Miscarriage
Massachusetts | 2024
Robert Kawada was charged with poisoning, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a pregnant person, and assault and battery on a household or family member after allegedly deceiving his pregnant girlfriend into taking abortion drugs. According to prosecutors, Kawada provided his girlfriend with what he claimed were iron and vitamin supplements. Authorities allege that at least one of the pills was actually misoprostol, an abortion-inducing drug. The victim later lost her pregnancy after ingesting the medication.
Outcome: Miscarriage
Ohio | 2024
Ohio physician Hassan Abbas was accused of ordering abortion drugs online and forcing crushed medication into his pregnant girlfriend's mouth after she refused abortion. State regulators suspended his medical license while investigations continue.
Outcome: Miscarriage
Louisiana | 2023
Rosalie Markezich reported being pressured by her boyfriend to take abortion drugs she did not want. According to sworn court filings, the drugs were ordered online using her information and shipped directly to her. She says she ultimately took the drugs while fearing for her safety.
Outcome: Miscarriage
California | 2022
Jagmeet Sandhu was sentenced after authorities determined he forced his pregnant girlfriend to take abortion drugs while threatening her with a firearm. The woman was approximately 12 weeks pregnant.
Outcome: Miscarriage
Texas | 2022
A Texas attorney was sentenced after repeatedly poisoning his pregnant wife with abortion medication in an attempt to end her pregnancy. Their daughter survived but was born prematurely and reportedly experienced medical complications early in life.
Outcome: Child survived
Nebraska | 2021
Ronald Powell, a school security guard, was accused of sexually abusing a minor who became pregnant. Court records indicate he posed as her father during the process that led to a chemical abortion.
Outcome: Miscarriage
Virginia | 2018
Physician Sikander Imran was sentenced to prison for fetal homicide after secretly placing abortion medication into his pregnant girlfriend's tea without her knowledge or consent.
Outcome: Miscarriage
Connecticut | 2016
Sage Lanza pressured a pregnant minor to undergo a chemical abortion after she became pregnant. Court records indicate he arranged the abortion and transported her to the appointment.
Outcome: Miscarriage
Kansas | 2015
Scott Bollig was sentenced for conspiracy to commit murder after crushing abortion medication into food consumed by his pregnant girlfriend without her knowledge.
Outcome: Miscarriage
New York | 2015
Joshua Woodward was sentenced after repeatedly attempting to administer abortion drugs to a pregnant woman without her consent. Authorities said one attempt was ultimately successful.
Outcome: Miscarriage
Florida | 2014
John Weldon was sentenced after forging a prescription and disguising abortion medication as an antibiotic before giving it to his pregnant girlfriend without her knowledge.
Outcome: Miscarriage
Wisconsin | 2007
Manishkumar Patel was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide after attempting to administer abortion medication to his pregnant girlfriend without her knowledge by placing it into a beverage.
Outcome: Miscarriage
A Growing Concern
These documented incidents highlight serious concerns surrounding the widespread availability of abortion drugs through mail-order systems and online distribution networks. In many cases, women reported being deceived, pressured, or unknowingly exposed to abortion drugs without medical oversight or informed consent.
While each case is unique, together they point to a troubling pattern of abuse that deserves greater public awareness, stronger safeguards for women, and accountability for those who misuse abortion drugs to harm mothers and their children.
This page includes cases where lawful actions were pursued and will continue to be updated as additional cases become publicly known. If you know of any cases not listed, please click here and send a link to the news article.
