When John Andrews Welden, 29, and Remee Jo Lee, 27, a couple of seven months, found out they were pregnant, only one of them was excited for the arrival of their bundle of joy. The other, had different plans. Welden tricked his girlfriend into taking Cytotec by claiming it was the antibiotic Amoxicillin, scratching off the proper labeling. Cytotec is actually used to induce labor, and caused the abortion of their six-week old fetus.
It all started last February, after Lee visited Welden’s father, an obstetrician, who confirmed her pregnancy. Welden told his then-girlfriend her blood results returned with a bacterial infection, and she needed to take an antibiotic. Welden, who was studying sports medicine, proceeded to give Lee the abortion pill. She immediately fell ill with intense vaginal bleeding. He admitted the crime at the hospital to his girlfriend.
Welden faced a Tampa, Florida federal judge, who sentenced him to 13 years and eight months in a low-security prison camp, earlier this week. He also was ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution to Lee, who bled for nearly a month after the forced abortion.
“I’ve caused everyone a huge amount of emotional pain,” Welden said. “What I’ve done will stay with me every day for the rest of my life.” And we’re sure with Lee, as well.