A Houston area midwife has been arrested on charges of allegedly providing illegal abortion, the first arrest under Texas’ near abortion ban.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that 48-year-old Maria Rojas, who identified herself as “Dr. Maria” as “Dr. Maria,” is accused of unlawful abortion performance, a second felony and practicing medicine without a license.
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Abortion rights protesters were Roev in Houston, Texas, USA on May 14, 2022. Wade will take part in a nationwide demonstration following leaked Supreme Court opinions suggesting that it could overturn the decision on abortion rights.
“In Texas, life is sacred,” Paxton said in a statement. “I will always do everything in my power to ensure that unlicensed individuals who will protect their unborn baby, adhere to the state’s life support laws, and ensure that unlicensed individuals who will endanger women’s lives by performing illegal abortions are fully charged.”
“It’s clear that Texas law protects lives, and we’ll hold those who violate it accountable,” he added.
Rojas is said to have run a network of clinics in Waller, Cypress and the Spring Houston suburbs. The clinic “illegally employed unlicensed individuals who misrepresented themselves as licensed medical professionals,” Paxton’s office said.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will speak at a press conference held in Dallas on June 22, 2017.
Rojas himself has been accused of performing illegal abortions at his clinic in violation of the Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021.
Abortions are prohibited in Texas, except for certain circumstances that save the lives of pregnant women. Texas owns abortion providers rather than patients criminally liable for illegal proceedings, Paxton’s office said.
John Shego, chairman of Texas Rights’ Life Rights, a pro-life group against abortion, praised the arrest.
“Abortionists have not given up on their fight for Texas. They are going underground online,” Shego said. “God has made all his children in his image. That’s why preschool babies killed in illegal abortions deserve justice.”
Waller County District Attorney Sean Whitmore introduced the case to Paxton’s office.
“In Waller County, we respect all life,” Whitmore told Fox News Digital. “We expect people to follow Texas laws.”
Fox News Digital has contacted the clinic where the abortion allegedly took place.
Cesar Franco prays for the Rosary with traditional family property organizations and prolife and anity supporters who assembled in protest against the apparent pro-foreign figure set up at the Cullen Family Plaza on the University of Houston campus, sings and prays on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. (Houston Chronicle via Kirkside/Getty Images)
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In addition to the arrests, the Health Care Program Enforcement Division of the Attorney General’s Office has filed a temporary restraining order to close the clinic.
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