A woman in Texas has been charged with murder over what law enforcement described as a “self-induced abortion”.

Lizelle Herrera, 26, was arrested by the sheriff’s office in Starr County near the US-Mexico border in the southern tip of the state, according to Associated Press.

The arrest has been met by several protests as Texas becomes the flashpoint in a new wave of restrictive abortion laws across the United States.

Last year, new rules were introduced meaning women in the state cannot terminate their pregnancy once a foetal heartbeat is detected, which is often as early as six weeks and many times before they even realise they’re pregnant.

The sheriff’s office said Ms Herrera had been arrested over allegedly “intentionally and knowingly caused the death of an individual by self-induced abortion”.

She remains in the custody of the sheriff’s office in the county jail on a $500,000 bond, Associated Press reported.

The sheriff’s office redirected Sky News to the district attorney for a statement, but said the DA would be unavailable until Monday.

Oklahoma set to outlaw almost all abortions with threat of prison and $100,000 fines

At-home abortion care to continue after being introduced in lockdown

Idaho becomes first US state to enact Texas-inspired abortion law as governor signs bill

AP reported that the case remains under investigation.

The new law in Texas has caused widespread outrage and created hundreds of so-called abortion refugees, with many women left with no option but to travel outside the state to terminate a pregnancy.

Related posts:

Announcer uses racial slur against girls’ basketball team who took the knee during national anthem More pressure on Cuomo to quit as top Democrats urge NY governor to resign over harassment claims Boxing champion ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler dies unexpectedly aged 66 Has Donald Trump found a way around his social media ban? Comedian Kathy Griffin reveals lung cancer diagnosis US Supreme Court refuses to block new six-week Texas abortion ban in 5-4 vote Woods says he will not play full-time golf ‘ever again’ after crash that nearly cost him his leg Ghislaine Maxwell warned Jeffrey Epstein housekeeper – don’t look him in the eye, New York trial told ‘Santa, please bring ammo’: Republican congressman criticised for Christmas tweet Historic fire that destroyed nearly a million acres caused by utility firm’s equipment, officials say Deadly smoke spread in NYC apartment block fire due to open door, official reveals Man who killed stepdaughter with heroin and hid body in ditch jailed for life