DOJ Employee Accused of Using Abortion Drug Without Consent Faces Capital Murder Charge
A Department of Justice employee in Texas is now facing capital murder charges after allegedly lacing his pregnant girlfriend’s drink with an abortion drug, causing her to miscarry. The shocking allegations have sparked outrage among pro-life advocates and conservatives alike, who see the case as emblematic of a deeper moral decay within federal institutions.
According to an arrest affidavit, 39-year-old Joshua Delong, who worked as a budget analyst for the DOJ, is accused of crushing an abortion pill and mixing it into a beverage he gave to his girlfriend, 38-year-old Ashley Cox, without her knowledge. At the time, Cox was approximately 10 weeks pregnant. The alleged incident occurred in late March in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
After drinking the tampered beverage, Cox reportedly began experiencing severe cramps and bleeding. She was rushed to a hospital, where she ultimately miscarried. An autopsy later confirmed that the baby was a male and approximately 10-12 weeks along in development. Tests also detected misoprostol—a common chemical used in abortion procedures—in her system.
Delong has been charged with capital murder of a child under 10 years old, assault of a pregnant person, and assault causing bodily injury to a family member. Texas law defines the unlawful termination of a pregnancy without the mother’s consent as homicide. Because of the baby’s age and the mother’s unwillingness to end the pregnancy, prosecutors are treating the case with the utmost severity.
According to authorities, Delong had been pressuring Cox to abort the child for weeks, expressing concern over how the pregnancy would affect his reputation and career. Cox refused, stating she planned to carry the baby to term. The affidavit states Delong researched abortion methods and ordered the drug online before allegedly executing the plan behind Cox’s back.
“He didn’t want the child. She did,” said Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells. “This is a textbook example of premeditated, cold-hearted murder of an unborn baby.”
The case has drawn attention from conservative and Christian leaders, who are condemning both the act and what they see as an insufficient cultural emphasis on the sanctity of life. Many are questioning how a DOJ employee—presumably educated and entrusted with federal responsibilities—could engage in such an egregious abuse of power and trust.
“This is evil, plain and simple,” said Texas Right to Life spokesperson Kim Schwartz. “An unborn child was killed without the mother’s consent. This should send a loud message that life in the womb has value—and that those who attempt to destroy it will be held accountable.”
The Biden administration has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, raising further concerns about the lack of vocal condemnation from federal officials. Critics argue that the silence is indicative of a broader ideological bias that elevates so-called ‘reproductive freedom’ above actual justice.
“If this had been a case where a woman claimed reproductive coercion in reverse, the headlines would be nonstop,” said one conservative commentator. “But because this involves abortion drugs and a federal employee, the outrage is muted.”
Texas has some of the strongest pro-life laws in the country, and the charges reflect that. Capital murder carries the possibility of life without parole or the death penalty. Prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will pursue the latter.
Cox, speaking through her attorney, said she is devastated but committed to seeing justice served for her child. “Ashley never imagined that someone she trusted would betray her so deeply,” her lawyer said in a public statement. “She wants to ensure that no other woman suffers the same fate.”
Delong is currently being held without bond at the Tarrant County Jail. According to jail records, he has not entered a plea and is awaiting a formal indictment. The Department of Justice has confirmed that Delong is no longer employed by the agency.
The broader implications of the case are already sparking debate about how abortion pills—especially those ordered online—can be misused. Conservative lawmakers in Texas and beyond are calling for stricter controls on abortion-inducing drugs and increased penalties for unauthorized use.
“This wasn’t a medical decision—it was a unilateral act of violence,” said Rep. Brian Harrison (R-TX). “We must protect unborn children from chemical attacks like this.”
The case also raises ethical questions about how federal employees, who swear oaths to uphold the law and serve the public, could so brazenly violate the most basic human right: the right to life.
While abortion advocates may frame the incident as a tragic misuse of medication, conservatives insist this goes far beyond that. To them, it’s a chilling reminder of what happens when moral boundaries are erased under the guise of ‘choice.’
This story continues to unfold, but one thing is clear: Ashley Cox’s unborn child was not a clump of cells. He had a name in her heart. And now, thanks to a heinous betrayal, he has a death certificate issued by the State of Texas.