MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office says a case involving a man accused of secretly giving his pregnant girlfriend an abortion pill — leading to the death of her unborn child — may be the first of its kind in Texas.
A grand jury this week indicted Jon Demeter on a first-degree abortion charge. The charge carries a possible sentence of up to life in prison.
“This may be the first use of the statute under these circumstances in the state of Texas,” Montgomery County District Attorney Mike Holley said.
OUR FIRST REPORT: Grand jury indicts Montgomery County man accused of secretly giving pregnant woman abortion medication
He noted that Demeter had no connection to the medical profession and no license, unlike the Houston-area midwife arrested last year for allegedly performing illegal abortions.
Investigators allege Demeter ordered a pill online, crushed up a white pill, and slipped it into a drink before insisting his girlfriend consume it all. According to a search warrant affidavit, the woman told investigators the drink tasted “bitter” and ”fizzy.”
The affidavit states within hours, she went to the hospital cramping and bleeding and later delivered the fetus. Investigators say the pregnancy was about 14 weeks along and the unborn child did not survive.
The family says they named the unborn girl Presley Mae.
“It has never been lawful for someone to perform an abortion in the manner against a woman and against her consent of this nature,” Holley said. “If somebody’s considering doing this to a woman, they should think twice, especially if they’re in our county.”
Holley said an investigation continues with the Texas Attorney General’s Office related to the website where Demeter allegedly admitted to buying the pills, although the affidavit indicates he told investigators he gave the pills away and didn’t put them in her drink.
Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle also spoke publicly about the case, saying the fetus was developed at about 14 weeks.
“She had 10 fingers and 10 toes. She was developed about 14 weeks along,” Doolittle said.
Doolittle also described the loss during the announcement of the indictment.
“That future was stolen before it ever had a chance to begin,” he said.
Texas law only allows narrow exceptions for an abortion, when done by a medical professional for a medical reason, like saving the life of the pregnant woman or preventing a major impairment.
Demeter’s defense attorney has not responded to a request for comment.
Demeter has been held without bond since his arrest in February, when he was initially charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Since he’s now been indicted on new charges, which are eligible for bonds, the DA’s office said a judge could set a bond when he returns to court on Thursday afternoon.