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US: Texas woman charged with murder for performing self-induced abortion

Herrera's arrest has caused outrage among reproductive rights advocates

jenlawf Amy Schumer and Jennifer Lawrence at an abortion justice march | Instagram

A Texas woman was arrested on murder charges after she performed a self-induced abortion. 26-year-old Lizelle Herrera was arrested on Thursday. It is not yet clear whether she attempted the self-induced abortion or helped someone else get an abortion. Herrera's arrest has caused outrage among reproductive rights advocates. 

"Herrera was arrested and served with an indictment on the charge of murder after Herrera did then and there intentionally and knowingly cause the death of an individual by self-induced abortion," Maj. Carlos Delgado told AP.

Herrera remains in custody at Starr County jail on a $500,000 bond. Protesters had gathered on Saturday, demanding Herrera's release.

Texas has one of the most stringent abortion laws in the US. The 2021 state law prevents women from getting an abortion after week 6. Most women don't even know that they are pregnant until week 6. Another state law prohibits doctors and clinics from prescribing abortion-inducing medications after the seventh week of pregnancy. It also prohibits receiving abortion-inducing pills via mail. Under the Texas 2021 anti-abortion law, private citizens can sue doctors who might have performed an abortion. The woman who undergoes the abortion, is, however, exempted. 

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