'Much bigger than people can even realize': Brantford woman charged with defrauding, harassing Ont. doulas
Warning: This story includes details that may be disturbing to some readers
A 24-year-old woman from Brantford, Ont., is facing dozens of criminal charges, including harassment, fraud and sexual assault, after police say she sought the help of doulas for pregnancies and stillbirths that turned out to be fake.
Kaitlyn Braun is alleged to have misled numerous doulas – professionals who provide support during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period – lying to them about being pregnant or carrying a stillborn, while falsely using their services.
KITCHENER DOULA RECOUNTS 'WAVE OF TRAUMA'
Kitchener doula Amy Perry says she was introduced to Braun in November 2022 after Perry’s colleague, another doula in Stratford, reached out for help supporting a woman who said she was pregnant with a stillborn baby after a sexual assault.
Perry says what happened over the next eight days was more bizarre and more heinous than anything she’s experienced in her nearly six years as a doula.
“It’s much bigger than what people can even realize, the wave of trauma,” Perry told CTV News on Tuesday.
Kitchener doula Amy Perry says her experience with Kaitlyn Braun left her traumatized. (Carmen Wong/CTV Kitchener)
Perry offered her services virtually, for free to Braun – even coaching her as she went through labour.
“The moans, the sounds she made were really realistic, even through the last stage of labour – through transition – she would even go as far as to vomit, which is the normal thing,” Perry said.
Braun even showed Perry and the other doula a photo of a stillborn baby, telling them nurses at the hospital where she delivered had taken it for her.
From there, Braun’s story escalated.
She told the women she had a bleeding disorder, kept them on the phone while she allegedly underwent medical procedures, and eventually claimed she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
“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,” Perry said, adding supporting Braun around the clock through the ordeal had left them sleep deprived.
CRACKS IN THE STORY
But the inconsistencies started to mount, and Perry became suspicious.
“At one point we were told she was in the ICU, and we could hear a small dog barking, and we made an excuse for that – you’re so into it – maybe there was someone else who was alone, and their dying wish was to have a small dog, but we started hearing that dog again when she was at another location,” Perry said.
“Truly she had just created such a big story the details started to fall apart even for herself.”
Perry said she and her colleague eventually reported their concerns to a police crisis centre, and when emergency services went to Braun’s house, they found her at home, perfectly healthy.
She says the experience left her feeling traumatized and taken advantage of.
“A lot of doulas become loss support doulas because of their own experiences with loss, and to find out that someone had been faking the experience they really did go through is very hurtful… very traumatizing.”
POLICE BELIEVED THERE MAY BE MORE VICTIMS
Braun was arrested by Brantford police on Monday.
She’s now facing 32 charges ranging from criminal harassment to sexual assault.
Police say the charges are related to offences alleged to have occurred in multiple Ontario communities between June, 2022 and February, 2023.
Police say they're releasing the name of the accused because investigators believe there may be more victims.
"I know that there are at least six [victims] that I’m aware of," Brantford police spokesperson Robin Matthews-Osmond said. "We do anticipate that there are more, which is why we released the name of this individual."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Brantford police at 519-756-7050 ext. 2262 or Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477.
Braun is facing the following charges:
- Criminal harassment (10 counts)
- False pretenses (12 counts)
- Fraud (4 counts)
- Sexual assault (3 counts)
- Indecent act (3 counts)
CTV Kitchener has been in contact with several other doulas who say Braun took advantage of their services.
Braun is currently in custody and will appear for a bail hearing Friday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
BREAKING Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
BREAKING 1 dead in rollover crash in Sharbot Lake, Ont.; 5 others injured
Ontario Provincial Police confirm one person has died after a single-vehicle rollover crash in Sharbot Lake, Ont. that seriously injured five others.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street