Texas Midwife and Medical Assistant Arrested for Illegal Abortions

Arrests for Illegal Abortions in Texas

• 🎯 A midwife, Maria Margarita Rojos, and a medical assistant, Jose Manuel Sendin Lei, have been arrested in the greater Houston area.
• ⚖️ They are accused of performing illegal abortions and operating unlicensed clinics, marking what appear to be the first arrests under Texas's six-week abortion ban.

Charges and Penalties

• ⚡ Rojos and Sendin Lei face charges for the illegal performance of an abortion, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
• 🏥 Additionally, they are charged with practicing medicine without a license, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Clinic Operations and Reactions

• 📍 Rojos reportedly owned and operated several clinics northwest of Houston, and also worked part-time as a midwife at another clinic.
• 💬 The owner of the latter clinic expressed shock and disbelief, stating she has known Rojos for eight years and believes her to be innocent, noting Rojos never mentioned abortion and her clinic does not advertise them.
• 🤝 Officials state that Sendin Lei, a medical assistant, assisted with at least one abortion.