Texas Woman Accused Of Murder After 'Self-Induced Abortion'

STARR COUNTY, TX — A Starr County woman was arrested and charged with murder this week after a Texas grand jury said she "knowingly caused the death" of her unborn baby through what authorities called a "self-induced abortion."

Lizelle Herrera, 26, was arrested Thursday by the Starr County Sheriff’s Office, ValleyCentral.com reported. Herrera currently is in jail on a $500,000 bond.

Herrera's arrest comes nearly a year after Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 8, which in nearly all cases bans abortion at approximately six weeks, usually before a woman knows she's pregnant. The bill also relies solely on enforcement by private individuals through civil lawsuits — state officials don't enforce the law with criminal or civil penalties.

In September 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Texas to prevent. the state from enforcing the bill. Abortion providers and advocates have also filed lawsuits, but none have been successful in restoring full access to abortion.

Members of La Frontera Fund, a Rio Grande Valley-based abortion assistance fund, protested Saturday morning outside the Starr County Jail, Texas Public Radio reported.

"This arrest is inhumane. We are demanding the immediate release of Lizelle Herrera," said Rockie Gonzalez, founder and board chair of Frontera Fund, told Texas Public Radio. "What is alleged is that she was in the hospital and had a miscarriage and divulged some information to hospital staff, who then reported her to the police."