Texas Woman Sues Abortion Pill Provider and Ex, Alleges He Spiked Her Drink to End Pregnancy

A Texas woman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against an abortion pill supplier and her ex-partner, alleging he secretly terminated her pregnancy by drugging her drink.

The woman, whose name is being withheld, is suing Aid Access and its founder, Dr Rebecca Gomperts, in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas. She is also taking legal action against her former partner, a US Marine, who she claims impregnated her and then dosed her with nearly a dozen abortion pills.

Aid Access is a nonprofit that provides access to medication abortions by mail within the United States and internationally.

According to the Guardian, the complaint alleges the marine pressured the woman for weeks to take pills from the service, despite her repeated refusal. She claims that one night, he dissolved at least ten abortion pills into a cup of hot chocolate, gave it to her, and then left. NBC News reports she began bleeding soon after.

At the time, she was eight weeks pregnant.

The lawsuit states that within 30 minutes of drinking the hot chocolate, she began experiencing severe bleeding and cramping. Her three children were asleep upstairs, so she asked the man to bring her mother to watch them while he drove her to the hospital. Instead, she says he became unreachable, forcing her to seek help from a neighbor.

A Texas woman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against an abortion pill supplier and her ex-partner, alleging he secretly terminated her pregnancy by drugging her drink.

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Around 12:30 a.m., she sent him a message saying, "I am gushing blood. Please hurry." He replied with an apology and explained he had to catch a flight the next day. The neighbor ultimately took her to the hospital, where her unborn baby did not survive.

When she returned home, she says she found an opened box of abortion pills and a pill bottle inside the house.

The psychological trauma associated with such an experience can be profound. Research shows that betrayal in intimate relationships can lead to significant mental health issues. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders revealed that severe betrayal can trigger symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Gobin, 2014).

He allegedly called the pregnancy "this monstrosity of a situation" and said he felt "trapped."

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In the weeks before the incident, the lawsuit claims the two exchanged messages in which he said he "would like to get rid of it" and that "it would be messed up to bring a child into the world without both parents raising them." He allegedly called the pregnancy "this monstrosity of a situation" and said he felt "trapped."

The tone of his messages later shifted, with him suggesting "some warm relaxing tea" and a "trust building night," which the woman says was when the alleged poisoning occurred.

She claims that one night, he dissolved at least ten abortion pills into a cup of hot chocolate, gave it to her, and then left. NBC News reports she began bleeding soon after.

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Understanding the Psychology of Deception

In situations like this, it's important to understand the psychology of deception. Deception in relationships is linked with power dynamics and control. In a study published by Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, it was found that partners who deceive often perceive themselves as having lower power in the relationship (Boster, Carpenter, & Jones, 2013). This could potentially explain the ex-partner's alleged actions.

The lawsuit accuses the marine of violating Texas law, which bans most abortions after six weeks and requires that legal abortions be performed by a licensed physician. It also alleges that Aid Access violated the 1873 federal Comstock Act, which prohibits mailing "obscene" materials, including those related to abortion.

Aid Access did not respond to requests for comment from The Washington Post.

The Role of Trust in Relationships

Trust, as established by Psychological Science, is a foundational element in maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships (Murray, Holmes, & Collins, 2006). In this scenario, the alleged actions against the woman represent a severe breach of trust, likely impacting her future ability to trust others.

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

In summary, the alleged actions in this scenario touch on several key psychological themes: deception, power dynamics, trauma, and trust. It's essential to recognize the serious psychological implications of such actions, which can lead to long-term mental health issues. Ensuring the victim receives appropriate psychological support should be a priority in cases like these, as highlighted by American Psychological Association.