A Texas man faces capital murder charges after allegedly administering abortion-inducing medication to his pregnant girlfriend without her knowledge, resulting in the death of their unborn child.
According to a Parker County press release, police arrested Justin Anthony Banta earlier this month in connection with a capital murder investigation involving his girlfriend’s miscarriage and possible evidence tampering.
Despite being married, Banta was reportedly in a romantic relationship with the victim in September 2024, when she informed him of her pregnancy. Banta suggested an abortion and told his wife he would order abortion pills online. However, the victim expressed her desire to keep the baby.
On October 17, 2024, the victim met Banta at a coffee shop after her sonogram appointment, where she learned she had a healthy baby with a strong heartbeat at six weeks pregnant. The victim suspects Banta laced her drink and food with abortion-inducing drugs, causing her to miscarry two days later.
FOX NEWS reported that video footage shows Banta stirring something into a light-colored cup before going to his vehicle and returning with a plate of cookies.
Tests on the cookies revealed the presence of drugs used to induce medical abortions, including mifepristone and misoprostol.
Investigators collected Banta’s cell phone as evidence during an interview concerning the miscarriage. Banta, who worked in the IT Department at the U.S. Department of Justice, allegedly performed a remote reset on the phone after leaving the interview, possibly deleting important evidence.
Authorities booked Banta into Parker County Jail on charges of tampering with physical evidence filed by the Parker County Sheriff’s Office and a capital murder charge filed in Tarrant County by the Texas Rangers.
[Feature Photo via Parker County SO]
