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An emergency room doctor at Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital has been arrested and charged in connection to performing illegal female genital mutilation on young girls.
According to WXYZ, 44-year-old ER doctor Jumana Nagarwala, of Northville Michigan, has officially been accused of performing female genital mutilation on underage girls.
A criminal complaint alleges that Nagarwala performed the life-altering procedure on little girls, ages 6 to 8, at a medical clinic in Livonia, Michigan.
Authorities say that some of the young girls were brought to the clinic from out of state, specifically so Nagarwala could perform the procedure on them.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is considered to be the partial or complete removal of the clitoris, also known as a clitoridectomy.
While the procedure can be considered a religious ritual in some countries, it is widely considered to be a human rights violation of women and young girls in most countries around the world.
The purpose of FGM is meant to suppress sexuality in women by completely taking away their ability to experience sexual pleasure.
According to a criminal affidavit, Nagarwala performed the procedure, which is completely illegal in the U.S., on at least two 7-year-old girls.
“According to the complaint, 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 Kenneth 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.”
“Female genital mutilation constitutes a particularly brutal form of violence against women and girls. It is also a serious federal felony in the United States. The practice has no place in modern society and those who perform FGM on minors will be held accountable under federal law,” stated Acting United States Attorney Daniel Lemisch.
“The allegations detailed in today’s criminal complaint are disturbing. The FBI, along with its law enforcement partners, are committed to doing whatever necessary to bring an end to this barbaric practice and to ensure no additional children fall victim to this procedure,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge David Gelios.
“The allegations against the defendant in this investigation are made even more deplorable, given the defendant’s position as a trusted medical professional in the community,” added U.S. Immigrations special agent Steve Francis. “My sincere hope is that these charges will give support to those who have allegedly suffered both physically and emotionally."
Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital has since released a statement, emphasizing that the procedures did not occur at the hospital and insisting that the doctor has been placed on administrative leave after the incident.
