NORFOLK, VA, June 4, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The father of a baby whom police say was killed in an illegal abortion says his unborn child was “special” to him, and he had looked forward to being a dad.
His ex-girlfriend, Jessica Carpenter, gave birth to a 25-week-old baby at Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center in Norfolk, Virginia, but the child died within 20 minutes.
Three eyewitnesses told police the death was no accident. Carpenter allegedly got help from her roommate, who had worked in an abortion facility, about how to induce early labor and allow her newborn baby to die.
Rachel Anne Lowe, Carpenter's friend, had once worked at Tidewater Women's Health Clinic, which was cited last May for its unsanitary conditions.
“Rachel was telling Jessica what to do,” said Leah Smith, one of three friends who tipped off police that the “miscarriage” was intentional.
The police search warrant states that the two considered breaking into the abortion facility, “to procure instruments known to induce labor.”
The baby's father, John Jones, has come forward to share the heartbreak he felt upon the death of his child.
Jones said he met Carpenter in Georgia, where she became pregant. After they broke up, she moved to Virginia.
“She told me that he died of natural causes,” Jones told Norfolk's WTKR-TV. “Now I’m hearing that my son could have been purposely killed.”
The baby “was a special individual,” the grieving father said. “It may have just been to me but he’s still special.”
Jones told News Channel 3 that he hoped his ex-girlfriend is innocent, but if not, “I believe she should face the maximum penalty.”
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Norfolk police charged the women with one count of producing an illegal abortion and one count of conspiracy to commit a felony. The illegal abortion charge could result in up to 10 years in prison. The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office said the two had posted bond and been released.
Lowe and Carpenter are scheduled to appear in court again in August.