Michigan doctor charged with performing female genital mutilation on young girls

The Department of Justice (DOJ) brought charges Wednesday against a Detroit emergency room doctor who allegedly performed illegal female genital mutilation procedures on young girls between the ages of 6 to 8 years old.

The DOJ news release says Jumana Nagarwala allegedly performed the mutilations in a medical office based in Livonia, Michigan.

This is the first believed female mutilation case brought under a 2012 law that criminalized the procedure.

{mosads}“Despite her oath to care for her patients, Dr. Nagarwala is alleged to have performed horrifying acts of brutality on the most vulnerable victims,” said acting Assistant Attorney General Blanco. “The Department of Justice is committed to stopping female genital mutilation in this country, and will use the full power of the law to ensure that no girls suffer such physical and emotional abuse.”

Two of the victims’ parents told investigators they knew Nagarwala performed the procedure, while other parents have denied knowing that Nagarwala performed the procedure on their daughters.

Some of the girls allegedly traveled across the state for Nagarwala to perform the procedure, according to the report.

Nagarwala has been arrested and is expected to appear in court Thursday.  

In 2012, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported over 500,000 women and girls in the United States were at risk of undergoing female genial mutilation.