New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
Kaitlyn Braun, the Brantford, Ont. woman previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas, has been charged again in connection to a new victim.
Hamilton Police confirmed to CTV News that three new charges were laid on May 6. They include obtaining by false pretence, false information and fraud under $5,000.
Those charges stem from alleged incidents between April 28 and April 30.
Other charges
Braun was arrested by Hamilton Police on April 30 and charged the following day with obtaining by false pretence, harassing communications and alleged breach of a conditional sentence order.
Hamilton Police said the alleged incidents took place on April 17 and 18, and related to Braun falsely seeking support for pregnancy and childbirth from another victim.
Braun has been in custody since her April 30 arrest.
Previous plea
In December 2023, Braun pleaded guilty to 21 charges related to deceiving and defrauding doulas.
Court heard she contacted numerous doulas over a number of months starting in June 2022. Often she would tell them she was pregnant as a result of sexual assault. The doulas supported Braun, many times as she pretended to go through a stillbirth.
Braun was sentenced to two years of house arrest in February 2024, though at the time the judge raised concerns about a mental health report that suggested Braun was likely to reoffend.
Doula reacts to new charges
Amy Silva was one of Braun’s original victims and shared a number of videos online warning others about a doula scammer.
She said many people are still hearing about Braun’s case for the first time.
“There are just so many people, still, that aren’t aware of things happening, so there’s definitely the possibility of more charges, more people coming forward,” she told CTV Kitchener on Tuesday.
Silva suggests anyone who thinks they may have been contacted by Braun speak with someone they feel comfortable with, whether that’s another doula or police.
“Everybody kind of has to make the choice that’s right for them. Some people just don’t want to know if they were impacted, which again, that’s your own choice, right?” she explained. “The people that have chosen to speak out and continue to speak out, it’s just because we don’t want it to happen to anybody else.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
As Hunter Biden's gun case starts jury selection, U.S. president says he has 'boundless love' for him
A federal gun case against U.S. President Joe Biden's son Hunter opened Monday with jury selection, following the collapse of a plea deal that would have avoided the spectacle of a trial so close the 2024 election. First lady Jill Biden was seated in the front row of the courtroom, in a show of support for her son.
Toyota apologizes for cheating on vehicle testing and halts production of three models
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda apologized Monday for massive cheating on certification tests for seven vehicle models as the automaker suspended production of three of them.
This Canadian scientist combines passion for history, archeology and genetics to solve ancient and modern-day DNA puzzles
Turi King takes pride in her work solving ancient and modern-day DNA puzzles – including a centuries-old mystery involving an infamous British king.
Crews searching for 3 missing mountaineers near Squamish, B.C.
A search effort has been launched for a trio of mountain climbers who were reported overdue after not returning from their excursion near Squamish, B.C.
Do this once a month and extend your life by up to 10 years. No gym required
Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins.
She is set to be Mexico's first female president. But who is Claudia Sheinbaum?
Known as “la Doctora” for her glittering academic credentials, Claudia Sheinbaum is a physicist with a doctorate in energy engineering and a former major-city mayor.
Bathroom break nearly derails $22-million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Israeli strikes in central Gaza kill at least 11 as the U.S. pushes a ceasefire plan
Palestinian health officials said Israeli strikes killed 11 people overnight into Monday, including a woman and three children, in central Gaza.
Bank of Canada interest rate decision coming on Wednesday amid rate cut speculation
The Bank of Canada will announce its latest interest rate decision on Wednesday amid speculation that the central bank might start to cut rates.