A British Columbia woman who was under investigation for offering unauthorized midwifery services is now charged with manslaughter following the death of a newborn baby early last year.
Vancouver Island RCMP arrested Gloria Lemay, 77, on Tuesday, more than a year after an unresponsive baby was born at a private home in the Ladysmith community, according to a statement from the Vancouver Island RCMP. Ladysmith.
The child was born on December 27, 2023, and died in hospice care more than a week later, on January 6, 2024, despite the efforts of paramedics and doctors to save his life, according to the statement.
Later that month, investigators from the BC College of Nurses and Midwives and the RCMP searched Lemay’s home in Duncan in connection with “her unauthorized practice of midwifery,” according to a public notice from the midwifery regulator.
Lemay had a long history of providing midwifery services despite failing to obtain registration with the province, which ultimately led to the university obtaining a “permanent injunction” in February 2000 prohibiting it from continuing the practice, the regulator said. .
Two years later, Lemay was found guilty of criminal contempt for assisting in 10 home births – for which she charged a fee of $2,500 each – and was sentenced to five months in jail.
Lemay’s website, which was still active Tuesday, identifies her as a “midwife” and “midwifery educator.”
Court records show Lemay was released from police custody following her arrest on the involuntary manslaughter charge.
“Investigators believe that Ms. Lemay’s involvement in the birth process led to the child’s injuries and eventual death,” the RCMP statement said.
“As this matter is now before the courts, no further details can be shared at this time.”
With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Andrew Weichel
