The Tampa man accused of tricking his then-girlfriend into taking a pill linked to miscarriages accepted a plea deal Monday.

John Andrew Welden pleaded guilty to product tampering and mail fraud at a hearing. In exchange for the plea, the charge of murdering an unborn child was dropped. If convicted, he could have faced life in prison.

“Nobody feels good pleading guilty but he recognizes what's happened and he's taken responsibility for what occurred and I think he's comfortable with that,” said Todd Foster, Welden’s attorney.

Foster said Welden is sorry for what he did.

“Obviously, it's tragic, all around from every angle, and I think that's recognized,” said Todd Foster Welden's attorney.

Welden will be sentenced Dec. 5.

U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara warned Welden during the hearing that despite agreeing to a plea deal and the recommended 13 years and eight months in prison, he could receive a longer sentence.

Lazzara will have final say on Weldon's punishment.

According to prosecutors, Welden, 28, allegedly told Remee Jo Lee, 27, that the pill Cytotec was the popular antibiotic Amoxicillin. She was almost seven weeks pregnant when she suffered the miscarriage in March.

Authorities said Weldon forged the signature of his father (a gynecologist) on a prescription for the Cytotec drug, a medication used to start labor.

Citing the unpredictability of a jury verdict, Lee's attorney says they're satisfied with Welden's admission of guilt. They're satisfied he will be punished for what he did.

"This has been an extremely difficult time for the Remee family, the Lee family,” said Gil Sanchez, the lawyer for Remee Lee. “And nothing is ever going to bring back what was taken from her, no matter what the result whether this would go to trial or not.”

While Welden is out of prison, awaiting sentencing, his attorneys want to re-address one of the requirements for his bond.

Before the plea deal, Welden was required to have 24 hour security detail at his home.

Now that a deal has been reached, Welden's attorneys want to change that and reduce the security restrictions before the December sentencing.