Ont. woman pleads guilty to defrauding doulas
CTV
A Brantford, Ont. woman who faked being pregnant to defraud doulas and obtain care under false pretences has pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including fraud, mischief and committing indecent acts.
A Brantford, Ont. woman who faked being pregnant to defraud doulas and obtain care under false pretences has pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including fraud, mischief and committing indecent acts.
Kaitlyn Braun was facing 51 charges related to more than a dozen victims. She was arrested in March.
In a Brantford courtroom on Thursday, she pleaded guilty to 21 charges. Handcuffed, she spoke quietly, wearing a burgundy sweater and glasses.
Her lawyer said the remaining charges against her, including sexual assault and criminal harassment, will be formally withdrawn at sentencing next month.
While court heard more about Braun’s actions on Thursday, the reasons why she did what she did remain unclear.
Court heard starting in June of 2022, Braun began requesting the services of doulas – professionals who provide support during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period – lying to them about being pregnant, often saying she was carrying a stillborn child.
Victims included doulas in Ontario, Alberta and Florida. The birth workers supported Braun in-person, by phone or over video chat.
