A Houston-area midwife has been charged with 15 felonies, after being arrested earlier this year for performing unlawful abortions in Texas.
In March, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the arrest of Maria Margarita Rojas, known as “Dr. Maria,” for performing illegal abortions, running a network of abortion businesses, and practicing medicine without a license in the Houston area.
Two men, Jose Manuel Cendan Ley and Rubildo Labanino Matos, were also arrested and charged as accomplices and for practicing medicine without a medical license.
“God made every child in His image,” Kim Schwartz, media and communications director for Texas Right to Life, told Texas Scorecard. “We pray that the preborn babies killed by Maria Rojas will receive justice.”
“It’s no surprise that someone who is willing to end the lives of children would easily be willing to lie to patients and break medical regulations too,” continued Schwartz.
Although the indictments were handed down in June, they have only been made public recently, revealing Rojas’ charges.
Of the 15 charges, 12 are for practicing medicine without a license. The remaining three charges are for performing abortions.
An investigation by the attorney general’s law enforcement division revealed that a network of clinics owned by Rojas had hired individuals without proper medical licenses to perform procedures.
Abortion procedures barred by Texas law were also performed in Rojas’ Houston clinics, several of which have since been shut down.
According to the Texas Human Life Protection Act, only abortionists are held criminally accountable for unlawful abortion procedures, not their clients.
Texas recently passed two new measures to further protect unborn children and their mothers.
Senate Bill 33, passed during the regular session and authored by State Sen. Donna Campbell (R–Bulverde), bars government entities from providing funds or other means of support to assist abortion providers or abortion assistance institutions. It took effect on September 1.
“The Mother and Child Protection Act,” authored by State Rep. Jeff Leach (R–Allen), prohibits the manufacturing and distribution of abortion inducing drugs. Passed during the second special session, it takes effect on December 3, 2025.
