On March 17, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the arrest of Maria Margarita Rojas, 48, for allegedly providing illegal abortions and illegally operating a network of clinics in the Northwest Houston area. Rojas, a midwife known as “Dr. Maria,” was taken into custody in Waller County and charged with the illegal performance of an abortion, a second-degree felony, as well as practicing medicine without a license.
An extensive investigation by Attorney General Paxton’s Law Enforcement Division revealed that Rojas owned and operated multiple clinics under the names Clinica Waller Latinoamericana in Waller, Clinica Latinoamericana Telge in Cypress, and Latinoamericana Medical Clinic in Spring. These facilities allegedly unlawfully employed unlicensed individuals who falsely presented themselves as licensed medical professionals to provide medical treatment. Rojas also allegedly performed illegal abortion procedures in her clinics in direct violation of the Texas Human Life Protection Act.
In addition to the arrest, Attorney General Paxton’s Healthcare Program Enforcement Division filed for a temporary restraining order to shut down Rojas’s network of clinics to prevent further illegal activity. Under the Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021, the Attorney General has the authority to seek civil penalties of at least $100,000 per violation for the unlawful performance of an abortion. Waller County District Attorney Sean Whittmore referred the case to Attorney General Paxton for prosecution.
Texas law holds abortion providers—not patients—criminally responsible for unlawful procedures.
In announcing the arrest, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stated: “In Texas, life is sacred. 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. Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable.”
Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021
Pursuant to the Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021: CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) A person who violates Section 170A.002 commits an offense. (b) An offense under this section is a felony of the second degree, except that the offense is a felony of the first degree if an unborn child dies as a result of the offense.
CIVIL PENALTY. A person who violates Section 170A.002 is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $100,000 for each violation. The attorney general shall file an action to recover a civil penalty assessed under this section and may recover attorney ’s fees and costs incurred in bringing the action.
CIVIL REMEDIES UNAFFECTED. The fact that conduct is subject to a civil or criminal penalty under this chapter does not abolish or impair any remedy for the conduct that is available in a civil suit.
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