WALLER COUNTY, Texas — A woman accused of providing illegal abortions at Houston-area clinics was able to leave the courthouse and go home on Thursday after she made an appearance before a judge.
Maria Margarita Rojas posted bond and has to wear an ankle monitor.
Editor’s note: The video in this article is from a previous report.
The focus of Rojas’ Waller County court appearance was over a temporary restraining order that shut down her network of clinics in the Houston area. Her midwife license also remains suspended.
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Rojas’ attorney wants the restraining orders lifted but a judge sided with the state and ruled to keep the injunction in place — meaning the clinics must remain closed.
The case from the Attorney General’s Office reportedly stems from an anonymous tip received in January that led to weeks of stakeouts at Rojas’ clinics and investigators combing through trash to collect evidence.
Rojas’ attorneys argued that the closure of the clinics is putting patients in limbo.
“We’re glad to be able to start the process of attacking these charges and believe that she is innocent. She’s presumed innocent. And we’re looking forward to getting the information about why it is the Attorney General’s Office had decided to file this warrant in the first place,” one of Rojas’ attorneys said.
State prosecutors repeatedly questioned Rojas about the abortions and pressured her about other allegations.
Rojas didn’t answer and invoked her Fifth Amendment right to all of the questions.