Texas Midwife Arrested for Performing Illegal Abortions Near Houston, According to State AG Ken Paxton

A 48-year-old woman was apprehended for allegedly conducting illegal abortions and running a network of unlicensed clinics in the Houston region, as announced on Monday by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Paxton identified Maria “Dr. Maria” Rojas as a well-known midwife in Northwest Houston, who was taken into custody in Waller County.

The investigation revealed that Rojas owned and managed several clinics, including Clinica Waller Latinoamericana in Waller, Clinica Latinoamericana Telge in Cypress—both located northwest of Houston—and Latinoamericana Medical Clinic in Spring, situated just north of Houston.

According to a press release from Paxton’s office, Rojas’ clinics employed unlicensed individuals who “misrepresented themselves as licensed medical professionals.”

Rojas is also accused of conducting illegal abortions, a breach of the Texas Human Life Protection Act.

“In Texas, life is sacred. I will always do everything in my power to protect the unborn, uphold our state’s pro-life laws, and ensure that unlicensed individuals endangering women’s lives by performing illegal abortions are prosecuted to the fullest extent,” Paxton declared. “Texas law on protecting life is clear, and we will hold violators accountable.”

Holly Shearman, a friend of Rojas, informed CBS News that she spoke with her following the arrest. “She firmly insisted on her innocence. Midwives across the state are supporting her,” Shearman stated.

Court records did not appear to include an attorney for Rojas to represent her, as reported by The Associated Press. The clinics promote various services on their Facebook pages, such as physical exams, ultrasounds, and vaccinations, the AP noted.

In the wake of Rojas’ arrest, Paxton’s Healthcare Program Enforcement Division sought a temporary restraining order to shut down all clinics owned and operated by Rojas.

Marc Hearron, interim associate director of U.S. litigation at the Center for Reproductive Rights, stated in a release: “While specifics of this case are still emerging, it is clear that Texas officials have persistently sought to intimidate healthcare practitioners from providing care and to ensnare Texans. Their ultimate aim is to completely eliminate abortion access for all Texans—and they’ll put people in jail to achieve that goal.”

What is the Texas Human Life Protection Act?

Under the Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021, the Texas attorney general holds the authority to pursue civil penalties of at least $100,000 for each violation involving the unlawful performance of an abortion.

The Waller County district attorney has referred Rojas’ case to Paxton for prosecution.

Attorney Will Vaughn, who is not involved in the case, commented to CBS Houston affiliate KHOU that this could result in a legal challenge against the state law. “It’s foreseeable that this could lead to a constitutional challenge at the U.S. Supreme Court, which might not focus on the conviction itself, but on the constitutionality of the statute as a whole,” Vaughn explained.