A Rock Hill, South Carolina, woman faces serious charges after law enforcement says she attempted to end her pregnancy at 27 weeks. Jocelyn Byrum, age 20, was arrested on allegations of attempted murder and unlawful neglect of a child, according to the Rock Hill Police Department. The events unfolded when a 911 call reported a miscarriage at a residence on Riverview Road. However, upon arriving at the scene, authorities claim Byrum admitted to inducing labor intentionally, as reported by WCNC.
It was last Wednesday when emergency responders found the newborn in critical condition. Byrum, who was taken into custody last Sunday, is said to have taken medicinal substances to cause the labor, a detail unspecified by law enforcement, according to The Herald Online. The Rock Hill Police Department stated Byrum was aware of her pregnancy's progression and chose not to seek medical assistance for the child post-delivery. The infant remains hospitalized and in a precarious state of health.
Medical aid was immediately administered by the EMS upon arrival, and the child was rushed to a nearby hospital for essential care. Byrum's bond hearing was scheduled for the following morning, as detailed in WYFF 4's coverage of the incident.
The case arises amidst a backdrop of legislative debate in South Carolina over abortion rights. State law only permits abortions up to the point where a fetal heartbeat is detectable, about six weeks into pregnancy. The transmission of abortion medication through the mail is banned for doctors within the state, notwithstanding some out-of-state physicians can provide them, as WCNC reported. Current discussions in the South Carolina Senate include a proposal to completely outlaw abortion, but the initiative has yet to advance through the General Assembly.
