A woman who faked multiple pregnancies has been charged with sexual assault, fraud and criminal harassment in relation to at least six doulas.
Social worker Kaitlyn Braun, 24, repeatedly lied to the birthing partners she hired, claiming she was in labor or carrying a stillborn.
She sought out the doulas – professionals who provide support during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period – and told them she had fallen pregnant after a sexual assault.
Police in Brantford, Ontario, have charged her with 32 offenses – including criminal harassment, false pretenses, fraud, sexual assault and indecent acts.
It is not clear exactly what the indecent acts or sexual assault charges relate to, but doulas professionally provide physical support in various ways including massages and moving clients into various positions.
Social worker Kaitlyn Braun, 24, would lie to the emotional support birthing partners, claiming she was in labor or carrying a stillborn
Canadian Braun faces ten charges of criminal harassment, 12 charges of false pretenses, four counts of fraud, three counts of sexual assault and three counts of committing an indecent act.
One victim, Amy Perry says her experience with Braun left her traumatized, after she tried to support the pregnancy faker for eight days.
Perry told CTV News she helped Braun virtually and for free, adding: ‘The moans, the sounds she made were really realistic, even through the last stage of labor – through transition – she would even go as far as to vomit, which is the normal thing.
‘We really felt that there was an individual who was alone in the world going through something really horrible and we were just willing to put the scope of our practice aside and help her.’
Braun even showed Perry and another doula images of a stillborn baby, telling them nurses at the hospital had taken it for her.
During the ordeal Braun convinced the women she had a bleeding disorder and kept them on the phone while she pretended to go under medical procedures and then said she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Another victim posted her experience on TikTok, claiming Braun was making ‘very realistic’ noises during her birth.
Shauna Hayes, who also worked pro bono, claims Braun told her she had been sexually assaulted outside of a hospital, so she initially refused to go.
Abigail Dienesch, a fourth victim, said that she was left feeling ‘violated’ after supporting Braun 24/7 over social media
The doula then drove her to the hospital, where she continued to fake her contractions after several hours.
Braun then claims she had an appointment the next day with a nurse practitioner, before returning to the hospital.
During her appointment, nurses managed to find a heart rate for the baby – it is unclear why – but when they performed an ultrasound they told Braun she was not pregnant.
She then told her doula ‘I’m so confused’, and declined any psychiatric help from the hospital, despite having scans in Hamilton three weeks earlier which showed she was not pregnant.
Hayes said: ‘I just want her to stop, it’s not about punishment for me. It’s just about protecting other doulas, and to stop them from going through what I went through.’
Another victim, who did not want to be identified, said: ‘It’s bizarre and very sad for doulas to have to check or second-guess their clients, I want to be able to take people at their word.’
She would seek out the doulas – professionals who provide support during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period – and tell them she had fallen pregnant after a sexual assault or was suffering a stillbirth
Abigail Dienesch, a fourth victim, said she was left feeling ‘violated’ after supporting Braun 24/7 over social media.
She believes that she is Braun’s latest victim, and was with her when she received a call from the police about the previous instances.
Dienesch, who was left $800 out of pocket for her services, added: ‘I would never guess someone would go to those lengths to fake that.
A fifth woman also came forward and posted her story on social media, saying she was also scammed by Braun.
Police said the alleged scams took place between June 19, 2022 and February 17, 2023 and involved multiple doulas across Ontario.
Canadian Braun faces 10 charges of criminal harassment, 12 charges of false pretenses, four counts of fraud, three counts of sexual assault and three counts of committing an indecent act
During the ordeal Braun convinced two doulas that she had a bleeding disorder and kept them on the phone while she pretended to go under medical procedures and then said that she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer
The board for the Association of Ontario Doulas released a statement saying they hope Braun is held accountable.
Shauna Hayes, who also worked pro bono, claims that Braun told her that she had been sexually assaulted outside of a hospital, so she initially refused to go
A fifth woman also came forward and posted her story on social media, saying she was also scammed by Braun
In a statement they said: ‘As an organization, we recognize the trauma … caused to the victims, our affected members, and the greater community.
‘These events have caused immeasurable pain and impacted the functioning of doulas and their businesses, not only in Brantford, but across Ontario and throughout Canada and the U.S.’
The association hopes to explore a way to offer counselling and support for those impacted.
Police confirmed that they have been speaking to multiple women who were lied to by Braun and are urging any others to contact them.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Kelsie Annaert at 519-756-7050, ext. 2262 or email kannaert@police.brantford.on.ca with any information.
Information and tips can also be made through Brantford Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477.
Anonymous tips can also be made through www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip