Wisconsin Man Who Spiked Girlfriend’s Drink with RU-486 is Convicted of Attempted First-Degree Intentional Homicide of an Unborn Child

Manishkumar M. Patel

Photo:Wm. Glasheen/USA Today Network-Wisconsin

By Dave Andrusko
National Right to Life

The case of Manishkumar M. Patel, who attempted to slip his unsuspecting girlfriend an abortifacient, has finally come to a conclusion, almost 11 years later.

On Wednesday Patel was convicted of attempted first-degree intentional homicide of an unborn child. 

“The attempted homicide charge carries a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison,” according to Alison Dirr. “Sentencing was scheduled for Oct. 9.”

Patel’s girlfriend did not ingest the drink but miscarried weeks later.

This was one of the very early cases of a boyfriend slipping his pregnant girlfriend an abortifacient. As we reported previously, Darshana Patel was suspicious and did not drink the smoothie that was laced with RU-486.

This took place in November 2007. A bench warrant was issued the following January for Patel (who was not related to the woman) on multiple charges, including attempted first-degree intentional homicide of an unborn child. He jumped a $750,000 cash bond, which he forfeited.

Patel’s list of criminal charges had included “second-degree recklessly endangering safety, placing foreign objects in edibles, possession with intent to deliver prescriptions, stalking, burglary, possession of burglary tools, and two counts of violating a harassment restraining order,” according to Dirr of USA Today

According to a 2008 Associated News story, the couple had a long-standing relationship, which resulted in a son in 2004. A subsequent pregnancy ended in a miscarriage in 2006 (Manish Patel denied that child was his.)

In August 2007 Darshana Patel said she became pregnant again. But this time (citing a criminal complaint) Dirr reported, “she noticed how attentive Manish became. He even prepared meals for her on occasion.”

Darshana noticed Manish stirring a smoothie at an ice cream store and grew suspicious, Dirr reported. 

“When he offered it to her, she noticed powder on the cup’s rim, and the pregnant woman feigned illness and didn’t drink it.”

According to the criminal complaint: A short time later, her doctor detected problems in her hormone levels, and she contacted the lab to test the substance in the cup. While waiting for a kit to test the substance, she miscarried. The lab test later confirmed the presence of the abortion pill.

National Right to Life continues here