A woman who faked multiple pregnancies has been charged with sexual assault, fraud and criminal harassment in connection with at least six doulas.
Social worker Kaitlyn Braun, 24, repeatedly lied to couples she contracted to deliver, claiming she was in labor or had a stillborn baby.
She sought out doulas – professionals who provide support during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period – and told them that she had become pregnant after a sexual assault.
Police in Brantford, Ontario, charged her with 32 counts, including criminal harassment, false pretenses, fraud, sexual assault and indecent acts.
It’s unclear exactly what the indecent acts or sexual assault charges relate to, but doulas provide professional physical support in a number of ways, including massage and moving clients into various positions.
Social worker Kaitlyn Braun, 24, would lie to emotional support birthing partners, claiming she was in labor or had a stillbirth.
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 committing an indecent act.
One of the victims, Amy Perry, says her experience with Braun left her traumatized after she tried to support the pregnancy faker for eight days.
perry said CTV News she helped Braun virtually and for free, adding: “The moans, the sounds he made were really realistic, even during the last stage of labor, during the transition, he even threw up, which is normal.”
“We really felt that there was a person who was alone in the world going through something really horrible and we were willing to step aside the scope of our practice and help them.”
Braun even showed Perry and another doula pictures of a stillborn baby and told them that hospital nurses had taken it away.
During the ordeal, Braun convinced the women he had a bleeding disorder and kept them on the phone while he pretended to undergo medical procedures and later said he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Another victim posted her experience on TikTok and claimed that 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 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 took her to the hospital, where she continued to fake her contractions after several hours.
Braun then claims that he had an appointment the next day with a nurse practitioner, before returning to the hospital.
During her appointment, the nurses managed to find the baby’s heart rate, it’s not clear why, but when they performed an ultrasound they told Braun she wasn’t pregnant.
She then told her doula ‘I’m so confused’ and refused any psychiatric help from the hospital, despite having had ultrasound scans three weeks earlier in Hamilton that showed she was not pregnant.
Hayes said: ‘I just want it to stop, this is not a punishment for me. It’s just about protecting other doulas and keeping them from going through what I went through.’
Another victim, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s strange and very sad for doulas to have to check or question their clients, I want to be able to believe people.”
She would seek out 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 experiencing 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 received a call from the police about the previous cases.
Dienesch, who was left $800 out of pocket for his services, added: “I never imagine someone would go out of their way to fake that.”
A fifth woman also came forward and posted her story on social media, saying Braun scammed her as well.
Police said the alleged frauds took place between June 19, 2022, and February 17, 2023, and involved various doulas across Ontario.
The Ontario Doula Association board issued a statement saying they expect Braun to be held accountable.
It read: ‘As an organization, we recognize the trauma…inflicted on the victims, our affected members and the community at large.
“These events have caused immeasurable pain and affected the operation of doulas and their businesses, not just in Brantford, but throughout Ontario, Canada and the US.”
Canadian Braun faces 10 counts of criminal harassment, 12 counts of false pretense, 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 undergo medical procedures and later said she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Shauna Hayes, who also worked pro bono, claims that Braun told her that she had been sexually assaulted outside a hospital, for which she initially refused to go.
A fifth woman also came forward and posted her story on social media, saying Braun scammed her as well.
The association hopes to explore a way to offer advice and support to those affected.
Police confirmed that they have been speaking to several women Braun lied to and are urging others to contact them.
Anyone with information can call Det. Kelsie Annaert at 519-756-7050, ext. 2262 or email kannaert@police.brantford.on.ca with any information.
Information and advice can also be obtained through Brantford Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477.
Anonymous tips can be submitted via www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip
