DETROIT – A Metro Detroit doctor charged with performing female genital mutilation on young girls appeared in court Monday for a detention hearing.
The court will decide whether to detain Dr. Jumana Nagarwala, 44, of Northville. She is charged with performing female genital mutilation (FGM) on girls who were 6 to 8 years old at a medical office in Livonia.
UPDATE: No bond for Nagarwala
MORE: Victims of Detroit doctor charged with FGM told they were going on ‘special girl's trip'
Nagarwala is an emergency department physician at a Detroit hospital and is employed by Henry Ford Health System. She was placed on administrative leave Thursday, Henry Ford Health System announced.
"We were shocked by the allegations," Henry Ford Health System said in statement last week. "The alleged criminal activity did not occur at any Henry Ford facility. We would never support or condone anything related to this practice. The doctor has immediately been placed on administrative leave."
Nagarwala does not work at the Livonia medical clinic where the procedures were performed, according to court documents.
The detention hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday at the U.S. District Courthouse in Detroit.
READ: Female genital mutilation: What is it, cultural and social factors
Protest planned before hearing
Protesters with "NOCIRC of Michigan" plan to gather about 12 p.m. Monday outside the courthouse. The group claims girls and boys both are victims of genital mutilation in America. The group said circumcision should be considered genital mutilation, and they are using this opportunity to raise awareness.
"The genitals of both girls AND boys needs to be protected from the harm of any genital cutting practice," said Norm Cohen, executive director of NOCIRC of Michigan. "Michigan has one of the highest rates of circumcision in the world. This unnecessary custom violates a child's right to bodily integrity and normal functions."
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