AFTER the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022, 14 states, including Texas, tightened their laws on abortion.

Kate Cox became known nationwide after suing the state of Texas in an attempt to terminate an unviable pregnancy.

Who is Kate Cox?

Kate Cox garnered national attention in December 2023, after she filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas.

She was 20 weeks pregnant at the time of the lawsuit, but her unborn daughter had been diagnosed with trisomy 18.

The rare condition causes babies to have three copies of chromosomes instead of two and can lead to heart defects and other organ abnormalities.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, most pregnancies end in miscarriage or stillbirth.

Most babies who do survive at birth do not survive past their first two weeks of life, according to the clinic.

The lawsuit, filed on December 5, asked a court to declare she had the right to terminate her pregnancy.

The lawsuit states Kate had been to three different emergency rooms in a month for severe pain related to the pregnancy.

“Continuing the pregnancy puts her at high risk for severe complications threatening her life and future fertility, including uterine rupture and hysterectomy,” the lawsuit continues.

What happened to Kate Cox?

After receiving the deadly diagnosis, Kate Cox tried to do what she thought was best for herself and her unborn daughter.

She attempted to get an abortion in her home state of Texas, despite the procedure being outlawed after six weeks of pregnancy in Texas.

“I’m trying to do what is best for my baby daughter and myself and my family, but we are suffering because of the laws in Texas,” Kate wrote in the Dallas Morning News.

“I do not want my baby to arrive in this world only to watch her suffer,” she continued.

“I need to end my pregnancy now so that I have the best chance for my health, for parenting my children, and for a future pregnancy,” she added.

On December 7, a district court judge granted Kate a temporary restraining order against the state that would allow her to have an abortion.

However, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stated that Kate’s doctor could face civil and criminal penalties if she underwent the procedure.

The next day, the state’s Supreme Court blocked Kate from having the abortion and later, reversed the lower court’s ruling.

By December 11, Kate had left the state to receive the abortion.

Who is Kate Cox’s husband, Justin?

Throughout the lawsuit, Kate’s husband Justin Cox was her most unwavering supporter.

He could be seen at her side in the courtroom and during media appearances.

The couple told CBS that part of their lawsuit was to protect Justin and their physician from legal action.

They both could be accused of aiding and abetting an abortion which is punishable in Texas with a minimum fine of $10,000.

They also explained that they wanted to have more children together and not having an abortion could cause Kate to become infertile.

Where are Kate and Justin Cox now?

Kate and Justin Cox still live in the Dallas area.

Kate was invited to attend President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address on March 5, 2024.

First Lady Jill Biden invited Kate as one of her guests.