Anna Yocco, 31, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder. (Murfreesboro Police Department)
A Tennessee woman who cops say tried to abort her 24-week-old baby with a coat hanger in a bathtub was charged with attempted first-degree murder Wednesday.
31-year-old Anna Yocco, of Murfreesboro, remains jailed on a $200,000 bond, according to the Daily News Journal.
Yocca filled a bathtub with water and attempted to self-abort with a hanger in September, according to a Murfreesboro Police Department report. When she began bleeding, however, she became worried for her safety.
“The whole time she was concerned for her health, her safety and never gave any attention to the health and safety of the unborn child,” Sergeant Kyle Evans told NewsChannel5.
"His quality of life will be forever harmed."
Yocca’s boyfriend took her to the hospital where doctors delivered a 24-week-old baby weighing just 1.5 pounds. Doctors told investigators the child will need medical support for the rest of his life because of the injuries he sustained.
Authorities said the baby had damage to his lungs, eyes and heart due to Yocca’s actions, NewsChannel5 reported.
“Although Saint Thomas Midtown was able to save ‘Baby Yocca,’ they indicated to me that his quality of life will be forever harmed,” Detective Tommy Roberts told the News Journal.
Yocca is due in court Dec. 21. Jail officials did not know whether she had an attorney.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
