Texas AG Ken Paxton announces the arrest of midwife Maria Margarita Rojas for allegedly providing illegal abortions and running unlicensed clinics, as part of a crackdown on unlawful medical practices in Houston
Houston, Texas – In a significant operation in Northwest Houston, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the arrest of a 48-year-old midwife, Maria Margarita Rojas, who was allegedly involved in providing illegal abortions and running a network of unlicensed clinics. The arrest took place in Waller County, where Rojas, known as “Dr. Maria” among her community, faces charges of performing illegal abortions and practicing medicine without a license.
The crackdown follows a rigorous investigation by the Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Division, which uncovered that Rojas owned and operated several clinics, including Clinica Waller Latinoamericana in Waller, Clinica Latinoamericana Telge in Cypress, and Latinoamericana Medical Clinic in Spring. It was revealed that these facilities employed individuals who, without proper licensing, misrepresented themselves as medical professionals, jeopardizing patient safety.
Attorney General Paxton emphasized Texas’ commitment to safeguarding life and upholding the state’s stringent pro-life statutes.
“In Texas, life is sacred. I will always do everything in my power to protect the unborn, defend our state’s pro-life laws, and work to ensure that unlicensed individuals endangering the lives of women by performing illegal abortions are fully prosecuted,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable.”
Adding to the legal measures, Paxton’s Healthcare Program Enforcement Division has also filed for a temporary restraining order aimed at shutting down Rojas’s clinics to halt any further illegal activities immediately. This decisive action underpins the Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021, which empowers the Attorney General to impose civil penalties of no less than $100,000 per violation against those who unlawfully perform abortions.
Waller County District Attorney Sean Whittmore, who initially referred the case to the Attorney General, highlighted that under Texas law, the abortion providers are held criminally accountable, not the patients. This distinction is crucial in Texas’ approach to handling such sensitive cases, focusing on the providers who flout the laws rather than the individuals seeking medical assistance.
This case marks a pivotal moment in Texas’ ongoing efforts to enforce its pro-life policies amidst national debates over abortion rights. As the legal proceedings unfold, the attention will remain fixed on how Texas navigates the complex intersection of healthcare, legal authority, and individual rights within its borders.
