WALLER, Texas – The Houston area midwife at the center of a historic Texas abortion case is now facing a new set of charges.
A Waller County grand jury handed down a 22 count reindictment for Maria Rojas, 50, last week.
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Rojas was previously indicted on 15 counts, including performing an illegal abortion and practicing medicine without a license. The reindictment drops the practicing medicine without a license charges and instead alleges 19 counts of violating the Medical Practice Act resulting in financial harm, in addition to three abortion-related charges.
The new indictment alleges Rojas knowingly offered medical treatment to patients without a license, resulting in financial harm. The document also now names several of the patients who were reportedly in Rojas’ care.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton first announced Rojas’ arrest in March 2025.
Paxton’s office accused Rojas of operating a network of illegal clinics and performing illegal abortions in the Houston area.
Last October, the AG’s office also announced the arrest of eight employees tied to Rojas’ clinics.
Rojas’ case drew national attention because she is the first person to be charged since the reversal of Roe V. Wade.
“There is nothing new on our end,” Rojas’ attorney Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube told KPRC 2 on the phone Monday, when asked about the reindictment.
It is unclear why prosecutors sought to reindict Rojas on new charges. But her defense has maintained her innocence.
“We believe that she did not commit a crime and we look forward to doing everything we can to get to the truth in this matter,” Hochglaube told KPRC 2 after a court hearing last September.
In addition to the criminal charges, Rojas is also facing a separate civil lawsuit filed by the Texas Attorney General’s Office in connection to her clinics.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages as well as keeping Rojas’ clinics closed.
In March 2025, a Waller County judge issued a temporary injunction to keep the clinics closed.
But Rojas’ civil attorneys, including from the Center for Reproductive Rights, are fighting to appeal the decision. It is currently pending with the Texas Court of Appeals.
KPRC 2 has reached out to the AG’s office for comment, but has not heard back yet.
Rojas’ next court date in the criminal case is in August.