A Houston-area midwife was arrested after allegedly performing illegal abortions and operating clinics without a license, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Monday.
Maria Margarita Rojas, 48, was charged with performing an illegal abortion, a second-degree felony in Texas, as well as practicing medicine without a license. Rojas, known as “Dr. Maria,” allegedly ran multiple clinics in Northwest Houston where unlicensed individuals provided medical treatment and performed abortions — a violation of the Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021, which made performing abortions illegal in Texas.
“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,” Paxton said in a statement.
Paxton’s office also filed a temporary restraining order to shut down Rojas’ network of clinics — one in Waller, Cypress and Spring — to prevent further operations. Under state law, Paxton's office can seek at least $100,000 per violation for unlawful abortion procedures.
According to Paxton, Rojas was taken into custody in Waller County, just north of Houston. Waller County District Attorney Sean Whittmore, who referred the case to Paxton’s office, told the Texas Newsroom that he believed “every life is sacred,” prompting his office to refer the case to the AG’s office. As of Monday afternoon, it was unclear if Rojas had legal representation.
This is a developing story.
The Texas Newsroom is a public radio journalism collaboration that includes NPR, KERA in North Texas, Houston Public Media, KUT in Austin, Texas Public Radio in San Antonio and other stations across the state.