Woman charged with attempted murder for failed attempt to abort pregnancy with hanger

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 pregnant then.

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.

The Tennessean