Shreveport Senator’s Sister’s Husband Tried to Secretly Abort Baby
In a shocking turn of events, the sister of Shreveport state Sen. Thomas Pressly, Catherine Herring of Houston, was faced with a harrowing situation when she suspected her husband of trying to secretly abort her pregnancy by spiking her water with abortion pills.
Attempted Abortion by Fraud
Catherine Herring, who was six to eight weeks pregnant at the time, began to suspect foul play by her husband, Mason Herring, a Texas attorney, who she believed was also having an affair. The situation escalated when she caught Mason spiking her drink on camera, leading to a criminal investigation.
Legal Action and Sentence
Mason Herring pleaded guilty to injuring a child and assaulting a pregnant person. Despite the severity of the crime, he received a sentence of only six months in jail, which Catherine Herring and her family deemed inadequate. Thankfully, through a medical abortion reversal process, Catherine was able to save her baby, who was born prematurely.
Proposed Legislation for Justice
Senator Thomas Pressly has taken action by filing Senate Bill 276, known as the Abortion By Fraud Criminalization Act, to address the loopholes in existing laws. The bill aims to create stricter penalties for coerced criminal abortion by means of fraud, with jail terms ranging from five to 20 years, depending on the trimester.
Preventing Future Incidents
Pressly’s bill seeks to raise awareness and deter such heinous acts, especially in states where abortion pills are easily accessible. By sharing his sister’s story and advocating for justice, Pressly hopes to prevent similar crimes and ensure that perpetrators face appropriate consequences.
Conclusion
This case sheds light on the importance of upholding the rights and safety of pregnant individuals. Pressly’s proactive approach to legislation underscores the need for stronger measures to protect women from coercion and fraud in matters of abortion. It is a testament to the resilience of Catherine Herring and her family in seeking justice for the unborn.
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
