A Texas woman arrested Thursday for a “self-induced illegal abortion” will have her murder charge dropped, according to the district attorney.
Lizelle Herrera, 26, was charged under a law that was passed last year that bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. Under the law, private citizens are tasked with suing medical providers or anyone who helps a woman obtain a procedure. The law also rewards private citizens $10,000 that can prove an abortion provider who breaks the law.
Herrera was arrested because she “did intentionally and knowingly cause the death of an individual by self-induced abortion.” She reportedly was in the hospital having a miscarriage. After sharing some details with hospital staff, she was reported to law enforcement.
On Sunday, District Attorney Gocha Allen Ramirez announced in a Facebook post that his office would be filing a motion to dismiss Herrera’s indictment on Monday. “In reviewing applicable Texas law, it is clear that Ms. Herrera cannot and should not be prosecuted for the allegation against her,” the statement read.
Allen Ramirez noted in his statement that the incident had taken its toll on Herrera and her family. He reiterated that this is not a criminal matter.
No other details were made available. More information should be forthcoming, but the case is under investigation right now.
