Latest news with #TexasHumanLifeProtectionAct
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Two arrested in Texas for performing abortions
March 17 (UPI) -- Two people have been arrested and charged with performing abortions in Texas, a state with one of the nation's strictest bans against the controversial medical practice. Maria Margarita Rojas, 48, and Jose Cendan Ley, 29, were arrested on charges of practicing medicine without a license and performance of an abortion, Waller County District Attorney Sean Whittmore said. "In Waller County we respect the sanctity of all life and our citizens expect people to follow the laws of the Great State of Texas," Whittmore said in a statement Rojas, known as Dr. Maria, is a midwife who operates three clinics, one in each of Waller, Cypress and Spring counties. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said his Healthcare Program Enforcement Division has filed a temporary restraining order to shut the facilities down. According to Paxton, the facilities illegally employed unlicensed workers who falsely presented themselves as licensed medical professionals. He also said that Rojas performed abortions in her clinics, violating the Texas Human Life Protection Act. Texas was among the states to pass so-called trigger bans that would outlaw abortion if the Supreme Court revoked federal protections for the medical practices -- which it did once the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade ruling was overturned in the summer of 2022. The Human Life Protection Act of 2021 outlaws abortions with very narrow exceptions for when the life of the pregnant person is at risk. The Texas attorney general does not have independent authority under the law to prosecute criminal cases. According to Paxton's office, an extensive investigation into Roja's clinics was conducted by his Law Enforcement Division. Whittmore said he was working with Paxton's office "to see that this case is handled with all of the resources necessary to see that justice is done." "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. "Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable." The suspects have had their bonds set at $200,000 for the charge of practicing medicine without a license and $500,000 for the abortion-related charge.
Telegraph
18-03-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Texas arrests midwife for allegedly providing abortions
A midwife in Texas has become the first person to be arrested on charges of performing illegal abortions under the southern US state's near-total ban on the procedure. Maria Margarita Rojas, 48, is also accused of illegally operating a network of clinics in the Houston area, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Monday. 'In Texas, life is sacred,' Mr Paxton said. 'Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable.' Ms Rojas was taken into custody in Waller County and charged with the illegal performance of an abortion, a second-degree felony under the state's laws, as well as practising medicine without a licence. She could face up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors petitioned the courts to order the closure of three clinics that Ms Rojas owned in Weller, Cypress and Spring. Mr Paxton alleged the clinics were staffed by 'unlawfully employed unlicensed individuals' who 'falsely presented themselves as licenced medical professionals to provide medical treatment'. '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,' Mr Paxton said in his statement. Since 2022 when the US Supreme Court rescinded federal abortion law previously protected as a result of the landmark Roe v Wade ruling, conservative states have moved to restrict the procedure, including Texas where it is banned in almost all circumstances under the Texas Human Life Protection Act. In many conservative-led states, women seeking to terminate their pregnancies, including victims of rape or incest, are now forced to travel long distances or find ways to have abortion pills shipped from other states. Texas has some of the strictest laws restricting abortion: The procedure is prohibited, save for exceptional cases when the mother's life is in danger, but activists say a lack of clarity around those exceptions causes doctors to refrain from treating these cases to avoid prosecution, which increases the risk of death. Although the law in Texas punishes those who facilitate abortions, it does not prosecute women who terminate their pregnancies. In February, a Texas court slapped a New York doctor with a $100,000 fine for remotely prescribing abortion pills to a patient in Texas. A month prior, the same doctor was indicted for 'criminal abortion' by the state of Louisiana, amid a conservative push following the election of Republican president Donald Trump.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas arrests midwife for allegedly providing abortions
A midwife in Texas has become the first person to be arrested on charges of performing illegal abortions under the southern US state's near-total ban on the procedure. Maria Margarita Rojas, 48, is also accused of illegally operating a network of clinics in the Houston area, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Monday. 'In Texas, life is sacred,' Mr Paxton said. 'Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable.' Ms Rojas was taken into custody in Waller County and charged with the illegal performance of an abortion, a second-degree felony under the state's laws, as well as practising medicine without a licence. She could face up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors petitioned the courts to order the closure of three clinics that Ms Rojas owned in Weller, Cypress and Spring. Mr Paxton alleged the clinics were staffed by 'unlawfully employed unlicensed individuals' who 'falsely presented themselves as licenced medical professionals to provide medical treatment'. '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,' Mr Paxton said in his statement. Since 2022 when the US Supreme Court rescinded federal abortion law previously protected as a result of the landmark Roe v Wade ruling, conservative states have moved to restrict the procedure, including Texas where it is banned in almost all circumstances under the Texas Human Life Protection Act. In many conservative-led states, women seeking to terminate their pregnancies, including victims of rape or incest, are now forced to travel long distances or find ways to have abortion pills shipped from other states. Texas has some of the strictest laws restricting abortion: The procedure is prohibited, save for exceptional cases when the mother's life is in danger, but activists say a lack of clarity around those exceptions causes doctors to refrain from treating these cases to avoid prosecution, which increases the risk of death. Although the law in Texas punishes those who facilitate abortions, it does not prosecute women who terminate their pregnancies. In February, a Texas court slapped a New York doctor with a $100,000 fine for remotely prescribing abortion pills to a patient in Texas. A month prior, the same doctor was indicted for 'criminal abortion' by the state of Louisiana, amid a conservative push following the election of Republican president Donald Trump. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas authorities arrest midwife for allegedly providing abortions
A midwife in Texas has been arrested for allegedly providing illegal abortions and operating a network of unlawful clinics in the Houston area. Maria Margarita Rojas has been charged with providing an abortion and practicing medicine without a license, according to the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday. Authorities accused Ms Rojas, 48, of operating multiple clinics in Houston where she allegedly performed illegal abortions in her clinic, violating the state's restrictive abortion laws. Ms Rojas faces second-degree felony charges, which carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $10,000 (£7,700) if convicted. Under the Texas Human Life Protection Act - a 2021 law that bans abortion in most cases - state authorities can also fine Ms Rojas at least $100,000 "per violation". In a news release announcing the arrest, Attorney General Paxton said that "Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable". "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. He added that Texas law holds abortion providers, not patients, "criminally responsible" for unlawful procedures. In Texas, physicians are barred from performing an abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, usually around six weeks into a pregnancy - before many realise they are pregnant. There are exceptions if the life or health of the pregnant patient is at risk, but not in cases of rape or incest. The state's supreme court unanimously rejected a challenge from 20 women in 2024 who said they were denied medically necessary abortions under Texas law. Paxton's office said Ms Rojas, who they say is allegedly known as "Dr Maria", operated multiple clinics in northwest Houston area, where she allegedly employed "unlicensed individuals" and performed "illegal abortion procedures". Authorities said they have filed a temporary restraining order to shut down the clinics. Holly Shearman, a midwife who runs a birth centre where Ms Rojas worked part-time, told the Texas Tribune that she was "shocked" by news of the arrest. According to the Texas-based news website, Ms Shearman said Ms Rojas is a devout Catholic who provided care to a primarily Spanish-speaking, low-income community. "I don't believe it for one second," she said about the allegations. Ms Rojas' arrest is believed to be one of the first criminal prosecutions under Texas's abortion ban. The Attorney General's office said she was taken into custody in Waller County, and it is unclear if she has yet obtained a lawyer. Last year, Paxton's office filed a lawsuit against a New York-based abortion provider for allegedly mailing abortion pills to a Texan. That same doctor was indicted earlier this year in the state on a charge of criminal abortion. New York has shield laws, which aim to protect providers who provide abortion care to patients in other states. New York Gov Kathy Hochul has said the state has no plans to allow for Dr Margaret Daley Carpenter's extradition to Texas. She forcefully called the case "outrageous" and an attempt by Republicans to prevent access to reproductive care - not just in conservative states, but across the US. Texas Supreme Court rejects abortion ban challenge New York doctor indicted for prescribing Louisiana teen abortion pill Infant mortality rises in US states with abortion bans, study finds She was denied an abortion - then she almost died New York doctor indicted for prescribing Louisiana teen abortion pill
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas authorities arrest midwife for allegedly providing abortions
A midwife in Texas has been arrested for allegedly providing illegal abortions and operating a network of unlawful clinics in the Houston area. Maria Margarita Rojas has been charged with providing an abortion and practicing medicine without a license, according to the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday. Authorities accused Ms Rojas, 48, of operating multiple clinics in Houston where she allegedly performed illegal abortions in her clinic, violating the state's restrictive abortion laws. Ms Rojas faces second-degree felony charges, which carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $10,000 (£7,700) if convicted. Under the Texas Human Life Protection Act - a 2021 law that bans abortion in most cases - state authorities can also fine Ms Rojas at least $100,000 "per violation". In a news release announcing the arrest, Attorney General Paxton said that "Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable". "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. He added that Texas law holds abortion providers, not patients, "criminally responsible" for unlawful procedures. In Texas, physicians are barred from performing an abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, usually around six weeks into a pregnancy - before many realise they are pregnant. There are exceptions if the life or health of the pregnant patient is at risk, but not in cases of rape or incest. The state's supreme court unanimously rejected a challenge from 20 women in 2024 who said they were denied medically necessary abortions under Texas law. Paxton's office said Ms Rojas, who they say is allegedly known as "Dr Maria", operated multiple clinics in northwest Houston area, where she allegedly employed "unlicensed individuals" and performed "illegal abortion procedures". Authorities said they have filed a temporary restraining order to shut down the clinics. Holly Shearman, a midwife who runs a birth centre where Ms Rojas worked part-time, told the Texas Tribune that she was "shocked" by news of the arrest. According to the Texas-based news website, Ms Shearman said Ms Rojas is a devout Catholic who provided care to a primarily Spanish-speaking, low-income community. "I don't believe it for one second," she said about the allegations. Ms Rojas' arrest is believed to be one of the first criminal prosecutions under Texas's abortion ban. The Attorney General's office said she was taken into custody in Waller County, and it is unclear if she has yet obtained a lawyer. Last year, Paxton's office filed a lawsuit against a New York-based abortion provider for allegedly mailing abortion pills to a Texan. That same doctor was indicted earlier this year in the state on a charge of criminal abortion. New York has shield laws, which aim to protect providers who provide abortion care to patients in other states. New York Gov Kathy Hochul has said the state has no plans to allow for Dr Margaret Daley Carpenter's extradition to Texas. She forcefully called the case "outrageous" and an attempt by Republicans to prevent access to reproductive care - not just in conservative states, but across the US. Texas Supreme Court rejects abortion ban challenge New York doctor indicted for prescribing Louisiana teen abortion pill Infant mortality rises in US states with abortion bans, study finds She was denied an abortion - then she almost died New York doctor indicted for prescribing Louisiana teen abortion pill
