Pregnant Rock Hill Woman Took Abortion Pills at 27 Weeks, Baby Born Alive and Fighting to Survive
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — A 20-year-old South Carolina woman has been charged with attempted murder after police say she took abortion pills at 27 weeks pregnant, then gave birth the next day to a baby found alive in a toilet. Authorities say the newborn survived after emergency crews rushed the infant to a hospital for lifesaving treatment.
Detectives Say Woman Tried to Induce Labor Using Abortion Pills
According to court records, Jocelyn Byrum allegedly ordered medication online to terminate her pregnancy. On Nov. 11, she texted a friend:
“My abortion pills came in.”
Her friend responded:
“Yeah, get it gone.”
Police say Byrum then ingested the pills with the intent to induce labor and kill the unborn child, a statement she later admitted to detectives, according to testimony from Rock Hill Police Department detective Tayler Englert.
The next day, Byrum went into labor at a home on the 1500 block of Riverview Road, where the baby was born prematurely into a toilet.
Baby Found Alive as EMS Performs Lifesaving Measures
After giving birth, Byrum allegedly took photos of the baby and sent them to family members before calling 911.
When officers and EMS arrived, they found the newborn still alive.
Paramedics performed immediate lifesaving procedures and transported the infant to a nearby hospital. Doctors say the baby is expected to survive, though the child remains under medical care due to extreme prematurity.
Prosecutors told the court that Byrum fully acknowledged what she attempted to do.
Byrum “admitted she took the medication to induce labor and terminate the pregnancy,”
Detective Englert testified.
Police Detail Chilling Admission During Court Hearing
During a court appearance, Byrum reportedly cried while listening to the allegations. She was denied bail and issued a strict no-contact order preventing her or her family from seeing the child while the case is active.
Prosecutors emphasized that because the baby was born alive, the case qualifies as attempted murder under South Carolina law — a charge carrying up to 30 years in prison.
Byrum also faces unlawful neglect of a child, which could add another 10 years if convicted.
Investigation Reveals Planning and Intent Through Text Messages
According to investigators, Byrum’s actions were intentional and premeditated. Court documents show she exchanged messages with a friend about her plan to end the pregnancy:
“She admitted she intended to kill her unborn child,”
authorities stated in court.
Detectives say the abortion pills were obtained online and were taken just one day before the unexpected premature birth.
South Carolina law prohibits abortion after the presence of fetal cardiac activity, typically around six weeks — far earlier than the 27 weeks Byrum was at the time.
Child Expected to Survive as Case Moves Toward Trial
The newborn remains in protective custody and is receiving ongoing medical support. The court has barred all contact from the biological family until further notice.
A judge set Byrum’s next hearing for a later date, noting the severity of the charges and the “active danger” posed by any contact between Byrum and the child.
This case continues to raise questions about unsafe abortion methods, late-term pregnancy risks, and the rapidly shifting legal landscape in South Carolina.
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