Trigger Warning: This article contains references to the alleged child physical abuse that some readers may find distressing.
Police arrested an 18-year-old North Carolina woman and her 19-year-old boyfriend after reports of leaving the newborn in the toilet. Identified as Syeisha Johnson, the mom-to-be found out she was pregnant at 20 weeks in June 2026.
She got abortion medication mifepristone online and took it to get rid of the baby at home during her third trimester. The state law bans an abortion after 12 weeks and 6 days, so she did not qualify to get one legally in the state.
So she chose to do an unsafe abortion at home; however, the baby was born alive after three days of taking the medication on July 29. Her boyfriend, Elijah Speight, is also charged. It is unclear who called 911 to their residence in the 2800 block of Ross Road in Durham.
NC teen charged after allegedly taking abortion pills in third trimester. Police say the Durham 18-year-old took the pills to try to induce an abortion before giving birth 3 days later in a toilet and leaving the baby there. (Via @SolomonLexiB) https://t.co/58IHmkwYaI #ncpol
— Keung Hui (@nckhui) August 5, 2026
He reported a child being born prematurely. The first responders found the baby in the toilet, and it had a pulse. They rushed him to the hospital, where he continued to receive medical care and treatment. At that time, Johnson also went to the hospital.
Later, Johnson and Speight were arrested. Johnson stands accused of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, child abuse and assault inflicting serious bodily injury on an unborn child. Her boyfriend, Speight, is charged with negligent child abuse.
According to authorities, the baby was born at 31 weeks, the abortion medication sent Johnson into labor, and she delivered on the toilet seat. The arrest warrant revealed, “The child was left in the toilet. 911 was then called. Mr. Speight stated the medication is located in Ms. Johnson’s purse.”
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Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry said in a statement, “I’ve been on the record, over and over again, saying that I believe a woman has the right to choose and has the right to make decisions about her own body. And we will review the evidence in this case in that light.” Police submitted the investigation to the DA’s office.
According to North Carolina law, abortion is legal till 12 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. However, if someone is over the 12-week and 6-day mark, they cannot legally terminate a pregnancy. It has to be a special case reviewed by authorities to allow an abortion, including if the pregnancy is life-threatening or if the fetus is not expected to survive the pregnancy.
Another solution is leaving North Carolina and getting an out-of-state abortion. Johnson and Speight posted $1,000 bail and were released from the Durham County Jail. They are scheduled to appear in court on August 26.
Disclaimer: Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available within the public video record.
