Woman charged with attempted murder for failed abortion

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.