HOUSTON — A Texas midwife faces criminal charges for allegedly conducting illegal abortion procedures, the first prosecution of its kind under the state’s stringent abortion laws. This development was announced by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday.
Maria Margarita Rojas has been formally accused of performing illegal abortions, a serious crime categorized as a second-degree felony. Additionally, she faces charges for practicing medicine without a license, a third-degree felony. Rojas, aged 48, is alleged to have managed at least three clinics in the Houston area where such procedures were reportedly carried out, directly contravening Texas law.
Paxton stated, “In Texas, life is sacred. I am committed to doing everything within my power to protect the unborn, uphold our state’s pro-life legislation, and ensure that those who endanger women by conducting illegal abortions are fully prosecuted.” He further emphasized the clarity of Texas law in safeguarding life and vowed to enforce accountability for violations.
The Waller County District Attorney, Sean Whittmore, whose jurisdiction lies northwest of Houston, has transferred the case to Paxton’s office for further prosecution. According to court documents, Rojas was apprehended on March 6 and subsequently released on bail the following day.
The court files do not mention any legal representative for Rojas who could provide her defense. Attempts to gather comments from Rojas’ clinics were not immediately successful, as a woman contacted at one location claimed unfamiliarity with her, and messages left at other venues went unanswered. Rojas’ clinics advertise various health services on their social media pages, including physical exams, ultrasounds, and vaccines.
Texas is among 12 states that currently enforce a comprehensive prohibition on abortion, with allowances for cases involving life-threatening conditions for the pregnant patient. Critics of the ban argue that the guidelines for medically necessary exceptions remain vague. A legislative proposal aims to clarify permissible medical exceptions during the ongoing Texas legislative session.
If convicted, Rojas could face up to 20 years in prison for the illegal performance of abortions, while the charge of practicing without a medical license carries penalties of up to 10 years.
Paxton’s office has already secured a temporary restraining order to cease operations at Rojas’ clinics.
Nationwide, since the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated Roe v. Wade in 2022, opening the path for state-level abortion prohibitions, there have been few instances of criminal proceedings targeting alleged illegal abortion clinic operations.
Earlier this year, a grand jury in Louisiana indicted a doctor from New York, accusing her of unlawfully prescribing abortion medication online to a patient in Louisiana. Similarly, Paxton has initiated a civil case against this doctor based on equivalent allegations.
