How a Detroit-area doctor may have mutilated girls' genitalia for decades

[GMDino]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/04/14/female-genital-mutilation-victims/100456310/

Quote:They thought they were going out of town for a girls weekend.


Two 7-year-old girls from Minnesota checked into a Farmington Hills, Mich., hotel with their mothers in February, court records show, thinking they were there for a "special" trip.

But instead of visiting the zoo or going shopping, the youngsters ended up in a doctor's office in Livonia, Mich., where a physician subjected them to what federal authorities are calling a "barbaric" and "horrifying" procedure: She cut their genitals as part of a religious and cultural practice that seeks to curb females' sexuality and continues in societies worldwide.

The girls were told to keep it secret, records show, but the FBI found out.

In what officials say is a first-of-its kind federal case targeting the practice of genital mutilation, Dr. Jumana Nagarwala, 44, of Northville, Mich., was charged Thursday with mutilating the genitals of two girls, although authorities say they believe she has subjected numerous more girls to the procedure, including children in the metro Detroit area. Authorities would not comment on whether more charges are coming, but the case appears to be the tip of the iceberg if the FBI's words are any indication.

Related:Doctor accused of genital mutilation on girls

"This investigation has identified other children who may have been victimized by Nagarwala," FBI agent Kevin Swanson wrote in an affidavit that was unsealed Thursday. "(Investigators) interviewed several minor girls in Michigan about FGM (female genital mutilation). In these interviews, multiple minor girls informed child protective services and forensic interviewers that procedures had been performed on their genitals by Nagarwala."

“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.”
David Gelios, Detroit's FBI chief

Nagarwala, an emergency room doctor at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and a U.S. citizen, appeared in U.S. District Court in Detroit on Thursday handcuffed and shackled, wearing a white headscarf, glasses and long white dress with colorful embroidery near her shackled feet. The defendant, who also speaks Gujarati — a language spoken in western India — will be locked up pending a detention hearing Monday, when a judge will determine whether to grant her bond or keep her jailed pending the outcome of her trial.

Two male family members were in the courtroom but said nothing to reporters. Her attorney, Shannon Smith, declined to comment.
Her employer, Henry Ford Health Systems, expressed concern about the allegations and said Nagarwala has been placed on administrative leave.

Authorities would not disclose what religion the defendant practices, or what cultural group she is affiliated with — stating only that she is part of a religious and cultural community that's known to practice genital mutilation on girls. One Indian-American leader said female genital mutilation is not a Hindu practice.

In the U.S., genital mutilation qualifies as a criminal sexual act, as the intent of the procedure is considered to abuse, humiliate, harass or degrade.
The U.S. Attorney's Office says this is the first such criminal case in the country, with prosecutors relying on a federal law that criminalizes the practice of female genitalia mutilation, which is punishable by up to five years in prison. The doctor, however, could get 10 years to life in prison for another crime she was charged with: transportation of an individual with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

More:Female genital mutilation persists in Indonesia

"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 David Gelios, Detroit's FBI chief.

Especially egregious, authorities said, is that the accused is a doctor who is supposed to help and heal people.

"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 (female genital mutilation) on minors will be held accountable under federal law," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel Lemisch.

On Tuesday, authorities spoke with Nagarwala, who according to court records, volunteered to be interviewed by a Homeland Security agent and Michigan child protective services personnel. During her interview, she said that she is aware that female genitalia mutilation is illegal in the U.S., but denied ever performing the procedure on any children. She also said that she had no knowledge of the procedure being performed on anyone in her cultural community.

Nagarwala earned her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1998, according to the Henry Ford Health Systems website. Her bio lists the languages she speaks as English and Gujarati, spoken by the Gujaratis, who hail from the western India state of Gujarat, the same ethnic area that Mahatma Gandhi came from.

More:Egypt court deals blow to fight against genital mutilation

According to an online petition at change.org, there's a movement in India to end female genital mutilation within a small Muslim sect known as Dawoodi Bohra. Gujarat is predominantly Hindu, but there are also significant populations of Muslims, Christians and Jains, according to a 2011 census.

For Sree Kamojjala, president of the Indian Association of Minnesota, the case of the Michigan doctor is both shocking and deplorable, he said, stressing that genital mutilation "is not a Hindu practice" or a condoned practice in India.

"What shocks me is I have never heard of this in India. ... It’s totally brutal. You can’t even think of your little girls going through this stuff. I don’t know what to say," Kamojjala said in a phone interview.  "We as a community totally condemn these kinds of acts. I am really sorry to hear this. I can’t find words. It’s ridiculous.”

According to court documents, investigators relied on cellphone records and surveillance video to piece together the case against Nagarwala. It's unclear what led them to the doctor to begin with. According to the complaint, federal investigators at some point received a tip that Nagarwala had performed genital mutilation on two young girls in Livonia, so they followed up with an investigation.

More:Claims Islamic State ordered female genital mutilation 'unconfirmed'

According to the World Health Organization, female genital mutilation is an internationally recognized violation of human rights of girls and women.
However, more than 200 million girls and women alive today have been cut in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The practice is most common in certain regions of Africa, the Middle East and Asia, as well as among migrants from these areas.

In some Middle Eastern and African countries, genital mutilation is considered a rite of passage, with part or all of the genitals cut off with razors or knives — often without anesthetic — to  make girls “clean” and “pure," and ready for marriage. In countries such as Djibouti, Egypt and Somalia, more than 90% of girls undergo some form of genital mutilation, some during infancy.

The FBI is asking anyone who has information about female genital mutilation or Nagarwala to call 800-CALL-FBI.

Horrific.  Religion gone crazy again....

[Rotobeast]

Crazy !

But, could this be considered the same as circumcision ?

I only glazed over the article, so don't yell at me if it's in there.


Sent from my SM-S820L using Tapatalk

[HarleyDog]

I multilate my wife's vagina a few times a week. Just sayin!

[Benton]

(04-15-2017, 06:25 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: I multilate my wife's vagina a few times a week. Just sayin!

Batting cleanup?

[*bfine32*]

Seems like the parents should be charged as well as the Dr if we consider this a crime.

Is circumcision penial mutilation?

[HarleyDog]

(04-15-2017, 11:47 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Is circumcision penial mutilation?

You would think? I don't remember the pain, but damn, had to be tough! It doesn't look the same as when I popped out. I don't remember signing off on the procedure? Who can I sue over this? I need money for beer and smokes.

[Dill]

(04-15-2017, 06:05 PM)Rotobeast Wrote: Crazy !

But, could this be considered the same as circumcision ?

I only glazed over the article, so don't yell at me if it's in there.


Sent from my SM-S820L using Tapatalk

People do call it "female circumcision" yes--but that is kind of misleading since it is really more like removing the entire glans, not just the foreskin.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/04/26/two-detroit-area-doctors-among-three-indicted-in-genital-mutilation-case.html

Grand jury indicted the two doctors and the woman today.

[SunsetBengal]

(04-26-2017, 08:39 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/04/26/two-detroit-area-doctors-among-three-indicted-in-genital-mutilation-case.html

Grand jury indicted the two doctors and the woman today.

Imagine the horror, no anesthetic, hands being held back..  This from the same culture that stones women for being raped, and not having enough "witnesses" to prove it was against her will..

[Sociopathicsteelerfan]

(04-26-2017, 09:11 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Imagine the horror, no anesthetic, hands being held back..  This from the same culture that stones women for being raped, and not having enough "witnesses" to prove it was against her will..

Remember all the women's marches about these poor children being mutilated in the name of islam?

Neither do I.

By the GM, it's doctors, plural, not just the one.

[GMDino]

(04-26-2017, 08:39 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/04/26/two-detroit-area-doctors-among-three-indicted-in-genital-mutilation-case.html

Grand jury indicted the two doctors and the woman today.

Good.

Can't imagine what those girls had to go through.

[Sociopathicsteelerfan]

I threw this in Fred's two faces earlier, but it, obviously, also should be posted here.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/26/health/fgm-indictment-michigan/index.html

Seems the poor doctor who mutilated young girls was only exercising his freedom of religion.

Quote:"I do believe that the government does not fully understand the religious practices of Dr. Attar and Dr. Attar's religion, and I think that's why we are in this courthouse today, and what we'll be fighting over for the next few months," Chartier said.

and

Quote:"They have a religious belief to practice their religion. And they are Muslims and they're being under attack because of it. I believe that they are being persecuted because of their religious beliefs and I do not make that allegation lightly," Chartier said.

Please don't criticize him GMDabo, that would be racist and intolerant of the sincerely held religious views of others. The mutilated girls should be thankful.

[GMDino]

(04-27-2017, 11:33 PM)Sociopathicsteelerfan Wrote: I threw this in Fred's two faces earlier, but it, obviously, also should be posted here.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/26/health/fgm-indictment-michigan/index.html

Seems the poor doctor who mutilated young girls was only exercising his freedom of religion.


and


Please don't criticize him GMDabo, that would be racist and intolerant of the sincerely held religious views of others.  The mutilated girls should be thankful.

That is so weird that you would say that.  Because I'd swear I said I don't care what you believe as long as you are not harming/forcing it on others.

(04-25-2017, 09:54 AM)GMDino Wrote: I am for you believing what you want...as long as you do not harm/infringe on the rights of any other fellow citizen.

Want to believe all gay people go to hell?  Good for you.  Can't stone them, can't fire them for being gay.  Especially in this country where we treat all our citizens equally.*














*Some conditions may apply.  Some people are more equal than others.

Which is like the exact OPPOSITE of what you just wrote.

It's almost like you were wrong.

Almost.

Have a good day!

[*bfine32*]

(04-28-2017, 09:55 AM)GMDino Wrote: That is so weird that you would say that.  Because I'd swear I said I don't care what you believe as long as you are not harming/forcing it on others.




Which is like the exact OPPOSITE of what you just wrote.

It's almost like you were wrong.

Almost.

Have a good day!

Should you be able to rear your children in accordance with your religion?

[GMDino]

(04-28-2017, 10:05 AM)bfine32 Wrote: Should you be able to rear your children in accordance with your religion?

Excellent question!

Does it mean physically mutilating them?

Personally I'd say no.  That would fall under "not harming".

Teach them your beliefs?  Yes.  Physically harming them?  No.

Just my humble opinion.

Although I am also leaning toward not teaching any religion until the child is old enough to not be told they will burn in hell for all eternity if they don't behave.

That last part is just my opinion and it is still an idea I'm leaning toward.  We raised both our children Roman Catholic, but encourage them to always ask questions.  Now we have one avowed atheist and one who believes in a higher power bu no set religion.

[*bfine32*]

(04-28-2017, 10:34 AM)GMDino Wrote: Excellent question!

Does it mean physically mutilating them?

Personally I'd say no.  That would fall under "not harming".

Teach them your beliefs?  Yes.  Physically harming them?  No.

Just my humble opinion.

Although I am also leaning toward not teaching any religion until the child is old enough to not be told they will burn in hell for all eternity if they don't behave.

That last part is just my opinion and it is still an idea I'm leaning toward.  We raised both our children Roman Catholic, but encourage them to always ask questions.  Now we have one avowed atheist and one who believes in a higher power bu no set religion.

This is why I suggested if anyone should be charged it should be the parents.

I know we've had the discussion about male circumcision. Is that harming? Influencing their sexuality before adulthood, is that harming? Refusing vaccines is that harming? Not disciplining when they misbehave is that harming. Too strictly disciplining when they misbehave is that harming. Knowing the answer to salvation and not motivating your child to accept it is that harming? Killing them before they are born is that harming...........

[GMDino]

(04-28-2017, 11:13 AM)bfine32 Wrote: This is why I suggested if anyone should be charged it should be the parents.

I know we've had the discussion about male circumcision. Is that harming? Influencing their sexuality before adulthood, is that harming? Refusing vaccines is that harming? Not disciplining when they misbehave is that harming. Too strictly disciplining when they misbehave is that harming. Knowing the answer to salvation and not motivating your child to accept it is that harming? Killing them before they are born is that harming...........

Did you think this was an easy answer?  Just a black and white / yes or no situation?
It's no easier than the "freedom of speech" argument that gets made when someone "can't" speak but the government didn't stop them.
*I* believe that not getting vaccinations not only harms your child but puts mine at risk too.
*I* believe that beating a child when it is "misbehaving" crosses a line from discipline to abuse, but that a spanking can be effective if handled without crossing that line.
*I* have no idea if circumcising a child affects it's sex life or not, or if it causes any harm.
*I* believe that teaching your child to strictly obey a religion and to insist everyone else does too causes harm when they try to force it on everyone else.
*I* believe abortion is an awful, horrible thing...that is currently legal and not my choice to make for someone else.  I also believe that in the earliest stages it is not killing a "person".
*I* also believe that if you want to tell you child that they will suffer for all eternity that is up to you...just don't try and force everyone else to live by *your* rules.

[Sociopathicsteelerfan]

(04-28-2017, 09:55 AM)GMDino Wrote: That is so weird that you would say that.  Because I'd swear I said I don't care what you believe as long as you are not harming/forcing it on others.




Which is like the exact OPPOSITE of what you just wrote.

It's almost like you were wrong.

Almost.

Have a good day!

Glad to see you coming to your senses.  The next step would be accepting legitimate criticism of the preachings of islam without reacting with knee jerk accusations of bigotry.  I'm very pleased you can be taught!

[GMDino]

(04-28-2017, 11:36 AM)Sociopathicsteelerfan Wrote: Glad to see you coming to your senses.  The next step would be accepting legitimate criticism of the preachings of islam without reacting with knee jerk accusations of bigotry.  I'm very pleased you can be taught!

You mean "coming to my senses" in the sense that I already said and believed that but you thought you caught me in something but you were wrong so you had to say another version of "I didn't say that" to CYA?

You're special.

In every way. 

Have a good day!

[*bfine32*]

(04-28-2017, 11:28 AM)GMDino Wrote: Did you think this was an easy answer?  Just a black and white / yes or no situation?
It's no easier than the "freedom of speech" argument that gets made when someone "can't" speak but the government didn't stop them.
*I* believe that not getting vaccinations not only harms your child but puts mine at risk too.
*I* believe that beating a child when it is "misbehaving" crosses a line from discipline to abuse, but that a spanking can be effective if handled without crossing that line.
*I* have no idea if circumcising a child affects it's sex life or not, or if it causes any harm.
*I* believe that teaching your child to strictly obey a religion and to insist everyone else does too causes harm when they try to force it on everyone else.
*I* believe abortion is an awful, horrible thing...that is currently legal and not my choice to make for someone else.  I also believe that in the earliest stages it is not killing a "person".
*I* also believe that if you want to tell you child that they will suffer for all eternity that is up to you...just don't try and force everyone else to live by *your* rules.

Yep, we live in shades of gray