In a chilling and disturbing case that shocked the nation, a Texas man was recently indicted on charges of assaulting his pregnant wife and forcibly inducing an abortion using chemical abortion pills. This horrifying incident shines a light on a dark reality where abusers are using these drugs as a weapon against women, sometimes without their knowledge.
Mason Herring, a young attorney from Houston, faces two felony charges for trying to abort his child. His wife testified that he began offering her drinks that appeared tampered with, leading her to become severely ill after consuming one. She later discovered packaging for the chemical abortion drug misoprostol in the trash. While their child was born prematurely, she was fortunate to have a healthy delivery despite Herring’s efforts to the contrary.
Unfortunately, this case is not isolated, and abusers have been using chemical abortion pills in similar ways across the country. These pills have been slipped into various food and beverages, from tea and coffee to yogurt and sandwiches, often leading to tragic consequences. The victims of such abuse are often unaware of the deadly substances they are ingesting.
While Herring’s wife was lucky to have a healthy outcome, other victims of chemical abortion pill abuse are not as fortunate. These pills can not only end the life of an unborn child but also pose serious risks to the mother’s health, including injury, infertility, and even death.
It is clear that abusers are taking advantage of these drugs as a powerful tool of manipulation and control. The evidence is overwhelming, and the consequences are devastating, with multiple lives at risk.
Younger generations, including Millennials and Gen Z, understand the dangers of unregulated access to these pills. Polls have shown that a majority of them oppose “no test, online distribution” of chemical abortion pills. They support in-person purchase requirements to prevent abusive partners or sex traffickers from using these drugs on women without their knowledge or consent.
However, despite these concerns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made a reckless decision to allow these pills to be sent through the mail without an in-person visit. This decision opens the door for abusers to easily obtain and use these drugs against their victims.
Even the FDA has expressed some concerns over these lax standards, acknowledging the potential danger to patients. Yet, they have not reversed their decision to loosen regulations on chemical abortion pills, putting women’s lives at risk.
In the face of this alarming public threat, concerned citizens must take action. Pro-life advocates must urge our U.S. representatives to pressure the FDA to reconsider its decision and strengthen safety protocols for these pills. While we may never fully understand what goes on behind closed doors in cases of domestic abuse, we can work to ensure that pregnant women are protected from abusers who may tamper with their food and beverages, intent on causing harm to both mother and child.
