By Rapids City Times staff

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – A Wisconsin Rapids man accused of attempting to kill his unborn child by spiking the mother’s water bottle with an abortion-inducing drug entered an innocent plea on June 12.

Jeffrey Smith, 30, is charged with two felonies – attempted first-degree intentional homicide of an unborn child and delivery of prescription drugs – in connection with an incident at a Wausau home Jan. 27.

The 20-year-old mother, who was 20 weeks pregnant, told investigators that Smith wanted her to get an abortion, and spiked the water when she went to the bathroom. After he left that night, she noticed residue in the bottom of the water bottle and took it to police the next day.

Testing found the prescription drug Mifepristone in the water.

Dr. Paul Kerns, an Aspirus Hospital specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, told investigators the drug has only one purpose – to terminate a pregnancy by blocking a hormone essential for the healthy development of a fetus, essentially causing it to die.

After testing found the drug in the woman’s water bottle, officers searched Smith’s home and found packaging labeled Misoprostol – a drug that serves different purposes, including inducing labor.

A trial date has not been scheduled.