Houston-area midwife arrested for providing illegal abortions in first criminal case under state ban: Texas AG

Maria Margarita Rojas, 48, who identified herself as "Dr. Maria" is charged with the illegal performance of an abortion, a second-degree felony, as well as practicing medicine without a license, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced. 

"In Texas, life is sacred," Paxton said in a statement. "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," he added. 

Rojas herself is accused of performing illegal abortions in the clinics, in violation of the Under the Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021. 

Waller County District Attorney Sean Whittmore referred the case to Paxton's office. 

"In Waller County, we respect all life," Whittmore told Fox News Digital. "We expect people to follow the law in the state of Texas."

Fox News Digital has reached out to the clinics where the alleged abortions were performed.