Police say the 18-year-old mother took abortion medication days before delivering the baby at about 31 weeks of pregnancy.
DURHAM, N.C. — An 18-year-old woman and her 19-year-old boyfriend face felony charges after authorities said she took abortion medication during her third trimester and later delivered a premature baby who was found alive in a toilet at a Durham apartment.
Syeisha Johnson, 18, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, child abuse and assault inflicting serious bodily injury on an unborn child, according to arrest warrants and news reports. Her boyfriend, Elijah Speight, 19, is charged with negligent child abuse. Both defendants have been released after posting $1,000 bonds, according to the latest reporting. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Durham firefighters and police responded July 29 to an apartment in the 2800 block of Ross Road after receiving a report about a child who had been born prematurely. First responders found the newborn in a toilet with a pulse and transported the baby to a hospital, according to warrants reviewed by WRAL and Law&Crime. Johnson was also taken to a hospital.
Investigators determined the baby was born at about 31 weeks of pregnancy. Authorities said Johnson had learned in June that she was about 20 weeks pregnant. Search warrant information reported by WRAL says she later ordered mifepristone from Virginia. Investigators allege she took the medication several days before the July 29 delivery.
According to a police warrant quoted by Law&Crime, Johnson was sitting on the toilet when she delivered the child. The warrant states that the baby remained in the toilet before someone called 911. Speight told investigators that the medication was in Johnson’s purse, according to the warrant. Authorities have not publicly released a detailed account establishing how long the newborn was there or precisely what happened between the birth and the emergency call.
Police said the newborn showed signs of life when emergency crews arrived. The child was taken to a local hospital and remained under medical care in the latest public update. Authorities have not released the baby’s name or provided detailed information about the child’s current medical condition.
The investigation was submitted to the Durham County District Attorney’s Office for review. District Attorney Satana Deberry told WRAL that her office would examine the evidence in the case while considering her previously stated position that women have a right to make decisions about their own bodies.
The charges against Johnson include allegations involving both her conduct during the pregnancy and the circumstances surrounding the premature birth. Speight’s charge centers on alleged negligent child abuse. Court filings cited in published reports do not establish that either defendant intended for the newborn to die, and prosecutors will have to prove the elements of any charges that move forward.
The case also involves questions that have not yet been answered publicly, including the newborn’s long-term condition and what evidence prosecutors will rely on as the case proceeds. Police have not announced additional arrests or charges in the investigation.
Johnson and Speight are scheduled to appear in court Aug. 26. Both are presumed innocent unless proven guilty, and the allegations contained in the warrants will remain subject to review through the court process.
Author note: Last updated August 7, 2026.