A woman has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to abort her own fetus.
According to reports, 31-year-old Anna Marie Yocca allegedly filled a bathtub with a few inches of water then used a coat hanger to attempt the abortion.
That’s when officials said the amount of blood alarmed her, and her boyfriend took her to the emergency room at St. Thomas Rutherford hospital.
“The whole time she was concerned for her health, her safety and never gave any attention to the health and safety to the unborn child,” Sergeant Kyle Evans said.
From the Murfreesboro hospital, Yocca was transferred to St. Thomas Midtown in Nashville where doctors were able to save the baby who weighed 1.5 pounds at birth.
According to nurses and doctors, Yocca made disturbing statements about the baby and wanting to end the pregnancy. She allegedly attempted the abortion at 24 weeks into the pregnancy.
The baby was saved, but officials said the baby will require medical attention. Authorities confirmed the baby had damage to the lungs, eyes, and heart due to Yocca’s actions and the coat hanger.
“Those injuries will affect this child for the rest of his life, all caused at the hands of his own mother,” Sgt. Evans said.
The investigation began in September, and just this week, a grand jury indicted Yocca on a charge of attempted first degree murder.
Her bond was set at $200,000, and she has been scheduled to appear in court December 21.
