MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- A 31-year-old Murfreesboro woman was arrested Wednesday and charged with attempted first-degree murder after a failed attempt to end her pregnancy, according to a report from the Murfreesboro Police Department.
Anna Yocca of Swindon Circle is accused of using a coat hanger to end her pregnancy in September, Detective Tommy Roberts reported. She was 24 weeks into gestation.
Yocca was indicted by the Rutherford County grand jury in December and is being held in the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on $200,000 bond. Her court date was set for Dec. 21.
Roberts reported Yocca filled a bathtub with water, “took a coat hanger and attempted to self-abort her pregnancy.” Because of the amount of blood, she “became concerned about her safety” and her boyfriend took her to Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital.
Yocca was transported to Saint Thomas Midtown in Nashville where medical professionals were able to save the child, who weighed 1.5 pounds.
Roberts said he interviewed doctors and nurses who reported Yocca said she wanted to terminate the pregnancy.
“Although Saint Thomas Midtown was able to save ‘Baby Yocca,’ they indicated to me that his quality of life will be forever harmed,” Roberts said.
Doctors at Saint Thomas Midtown told Roberts the child will need continued medical support for the remainder of his life because of injuries sustained in the attempt.
