Attorney General Ken Paxton has obtained a temporary injunction against a network of abortion clinics in the Houston area to ensure they remain closed following allegations of illegal abortion practices and continued medical procedures by unlicensed personnel.
The injunction follows the arrests of multiple people who worked in the clinics operated by Maria Margarita Rojas. She was found to be unlawfully providing abortions without state oversight, as well as practicing a variety of other “medical” operations without any of the required licenses, as previously reported by DX.
Rojas, 48, was arrested on March 17 in Waller County on claims that she was actively performing illegal abortions at multiple clinics in northwest Houston, including Clinica Waller Latinoamericana, Clinica Latinoamericana Telge, and Latinoamericana Medical Clinic. Known as “Dr. Maria,” Rojas now faces charges of unlawful abortion and practicing medicine without a license, both felonies.
“This network of clinics illegally aborted unborn children and practiced medicine without a license, intentionally deceiving and endangering the communities they claimed to serve,” Paxton said in a press release.
The case gained widespread attention after Rojas was arrested for conducting illegal abortions and running her network of clinics without properly trained employees who were posing as medical professionals.
Paxton’s Healthcare Program Enforcement Division quickly responded to reports of “Dr Maria” obtaining a temporary restraining order to prevent the clinics from continuing their abortions earlier this year. Two other employees involved in the scheme, one who was living illegally in America, were also arrested in connection to the case.
The legal battle escalated when a district court judge issued a temporary injunction against the “clinics,” effectively barring them from reopening once the temporary restraining order had expired.
The court’s decision marks a big win for Paxton’s Office and its ongoing efforts to uphold Texas’ abortion laws.
“Today’s win means these fake clinics will remain closed and be prevented from harming anyone else while the case continues. Life is sacred and I will always do everything in my power to protect the most vulnerable and uphold Texas law,” Paxton added.