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Michigan doctor accused in female genital mutilation case due back in court

Posted at 6:30 AM, May 19, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-19 06:53:43-04

The Northville doctor at the center of a federal and state investigation regarding female genital mutilation of young girls is expected to be back in court today. 

This time, Dr. Jumana Nagarwala's fitness as a mother is being challenged. Dr. Nagarwala has already lost her job and now she could lose her children.

Dr. Nagarwala was fired from Henry Ford Health Systems after being arrested on April 10 for allegedly performing genital mutilation on two 7-year-old girls brought from Minnesota for the procedure. FGM is a religious practice condemned around the world and considered child abuse here in the United States. 

A child welfare petition alleges that Dr. Nagarwala's own daughter has had her genitals cut. Now the State of Michigan wants to terminate the doctor's parental rights, removing both children from the home. 

In Minnesota, Child Protective Services has already removed one of those little girls from the family home.

Five other petitions to remove children from couples in Oakland and Wayne counties have also been filed.