HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas midwife has been arrested and accused of providing illegal abortions, marking the first time authorities have filed criminal charges under the state’s near-total abortion ban, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Monday.
Maria Margarita Rojas has been charged with the illegal performance of an abortion, a second-degree felony, as well as practicing medicine without a license, which is a third-degree felony.
Paxton alleges that Rojas, 48, illegally operated at least three clinics in the Houston area where illegal abortion procedures were performed in direct violation of state law.
“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,” Paxton said in a statement. “Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable.”
Waller County District Attorney Sean Whittmore, whose office is located northwest of Houston, referred the case to Paxton for prosecution, according to the state Attorney General’s Office.
Waller County court records show Rojas was arrested on March 6 and she was released on bond the next day.
Court records did not list an attorney for Rojas who could speak on her behalf.
A woman reached by phone at one of Rojas’ clinics said Monday she did not know who Rojas was. Messages left at Rojas’ two other clinics were not immediately returned. On their Facebook pages, the clinics advertise various services, including physical exams, ultrasounds and vaccines.
Texas is one of 12 states currently enforcing a ban on abortion at all stages of pregnancy. Texas' ban allows exceptions when a pregnant patient has a life-threatening condition. Opponents of the ban say it is too vague when it comes to when medically necessary exceptions are allowed. A bill has been filed in the current Texas legislative session to clarify medical exceptions allowed under the law.
The charge of illegal performance of an abortion carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison while the charge of practicing medicine without a license carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
Paxton’s office said it has filed a temporary restraining order to close Rojas’ clinics.
In the U.S., there have been few, if any, criminal charges filed alleging the operation of illegal abortion clinics since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and opened the door to state abortion bans.
A Louisiana grand jury earlier this year indicted a New York doctor on charges that she illegally prescribed abortion pills online to a Louisiana patient. Paxton has filed a civil lawsuit against the same doctor under a similar accusation.
Associated Press reporter Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, contributed to this report.
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FILE - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton makes a statement at his office, May 26, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
CHANTILLY, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 18, 2025--
Amentum (NYSE: AMTM), a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, today announced the appointment of Corhyn Parr as Vice President of International Business Development. Corhyn joins Amentum after a distinguished tenure as CEO of Nuclear Waste Services, a subsidiary of the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), where she played a pivotal role in advancing the UK’s nuclear waste management strategies and initiatives.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250318342258/en/
In her new role, Corhyn will leverage her extensive experience in the nuclear sector and proven track record in international business development to drive growth and expand Amentum's global defence, energy and environment footprint. Her expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments and building collaborative partnerships will be instrumental as the company seeks to enhance its service offerings in the nuclear, environmental, and defence sectors worldwide.
“Corhyn brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to our team, particularly in the areas of international collaboration and sustainable nuclear and environmental solutions,” said Andy White, Senior Vice President of Amentum Energy & Environment International. “We are excited to welcome her aboard and look forward to her leadership in expanding our international presence and developing innovative strategies that meet the needs of our global clients.”
During her time at Nuclear Waste Services, Corhyn was integral in fostering relationships with key stakeholders, enhancing operational efficiencies, and leading strategic initiatives that supported the UK's commitment to safe and responsible nuclear waste management.
She said: “I am thrilled to join Amentum at such an exciting time in the company’s growth. I look forward to collaborating with an exceptional team to drive innovative solutions and create value for our clients around the world.”
Corhyn was previously Director of Integrated Waste at the NDA, a role in which she brought together Radioactive Waste Management and the Low-Level Waste Repository into a single organisation and created an integrated national programme to improve the efficiency of radioactive waste management in the UK. She has worked within the nuclear industry for over 20 years since graduating as a mechanical engineer, supporting nuclear operations, generation, decommissioning and waste management across most nuclear licensed sites in the UK. She has also worked internationally in Europe, Canada and the USA.
About Amentum
Amentum is a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, trusted by the United States and its allies to address their most significant and complex challenges in science, security and sustainability. Our people apply undaunted curiosity, relentless ambition and boundless imagination to challenge convention and drive progress. Our commitments are underpinned by the belief that safety, collaboration and well-being are integral to success. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, we have more than 53,000 employees in approximately 80 countries across all 7 continents.
Visit us at www.amentum.com to learn how we advance the future together.
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Corhyn Parr, Amentum Vice President of International Business Development
