Social worker, 24, charged with sexual assault after hiring doulas to help with fake pregnancies
A woman who faked multiple pregnancies has been charged with sexual assault, fraud and criminal harassment involving at least six doulas.
Social worker Kaitlyn Braun, 24, has repeatedly lied to birth partners she has hired, claiming she was in labor or carrying a stillbirth.
She approached doulas – professionals who provide support during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period – and told them she had become pregnant after a sexual assault.
Police in Brantford, Ont., charged her with 32 offenses including criminal harassment, false pretences, fraud, sexual assault and indecent acts.
It’s unclear what the indecent acts or accusations of sexual assault relate to, but doulas professionally provide physical support in a variety of ways, including massage and moving clients into various positions.
Social worker Kaitlyn Braun, 24, allegedly lies to birth partners about emotional support, claiming she was in labor or carrying a stillborn
Canadian Braun faces ten counts of criminal harassment, 12 counts of false pretense, four counts of fraud, three counts of sexual assault and three counts of 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 during the last stage of labor – during the transition – she would even go so far as vomiting, which is normal.
“We truly felt there was a lonely person in the world going through something truly awful and we were just willing to put aside the scope of our practice and help them.”
Braun even showed Perry and another doula pictures of a stillborn baby, telling them the hospital nurses had mistaken 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 undergo medical procedures, then said she received a diagnosis of terminal cancer.
Another victim posted about their experience on TikTok, saying Braun made “very realistic” noises when he was born.
Shauna Hayes, who has also done volunteer work, claims Braun told her she had been sexually assaulted outside a hospital, so she initially refused to go.
Abigail Dienesch, a fourth victim, said she felt ‘violated’ after supporting Braun 24/7 on social media
The doula then drove her to the hospital, where she continued to fake her contractions after several hours.
Braun then claims to have had an appointment the following day with a nurse practitioner, before returning to the hospital.
During her appointment, the nurses managed to find a heart rate for the baby – it’s 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 refused any psychiatric help from the hospital, despite scans in Hamilton three weeks earlier showing 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 preventing them from going through what I went through.
Another victim, who did not want to be identified, said: “It’s weird and very sad for doulas to have to check or 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 that she had become pregnant after a sexual assault or was suffering from a stillbirth.
Abigail Dienesch, a fourth victim, said she felt “violated” after supporting Braun 24/7 on social media.
She believes she is Braun’s latest victim and was with her when she got a call from the police about the previous cases.
Dienesch, who received $800 out of pocket for his services, added, “I would never assume anyone would go this far to fake this.”
A fifth woman has also come forward and posted her story on social media, claiming she was also scammed by Braun.
Police said the alleged frauds took place between June 19, 2022 and February 17, 2023 and involved multiple doulas across Ontario.
The Board of Directors of the Association of Ontario Doulas released a statement in which they hope Braun will be held accountable.
It read: “As an organization we recognize the trauma…caused to the victims, our affected members and the wider community.
“These events have caused immeasurable pain and have impacted the operation of doulas and their businesses, not only in Brantford, but across Ontario and throughout Canada and the United States”
Canadian Braun faces 10 criminal harassment charges, 12 false pretence charges, four counts of fraud, three counts of sexual assault and three counts of 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 undergo medical procedures, then said she received a diagnosis of terminal cancer.
Shauna Hayes, who has also done volunteer work, claims Braun told her she had been sexually assaulted outside a hospital, so she initially refused to go.
A fifth woman has also come forward and posted her story on social media, claiming she too was scammed by Braun.
The association hopes to explore a way to offer advice and support to those affected.
Police confirmed they spoke to several women who Braun lied to and urged others to contact them.
Anyone with information can call Det. Kelsie Annaert at 519-756-7050, ext. 2262 or email [email protected] with any information.
Information and advice can also be obtained from Brantford Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477.
Anonymous tips can be submitted via www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip
Origin: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
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