Calling his ruling 'distasteful,' judge gives Ontario woman who scammed doulas 2 years of house arrest

WARNING: This article contains details of sexual assault and suicidal ideation,and may affect those who have experienced them or know someone affected by them.

A Brantford woman who faked pregnancies, harassedand fraudulently soughtthe services of numerous doulas across Ontario was sentenced Wednesday to two years of house arrest and three years of probation.

Kaitlyn Braunpleadedguiltyin December to21 charges includingfraud, indecent acts, false pretences and mischief of the 52 she facedfor seeking the help of doulas in what ended up being false pregnancies and stillbirths from June 2022 to February 2023.

In custody sinceher arrest in March, Braun kept her head down while hersentence wasreleased by Justice Robert Gee in Brantford'sCourt of Justice. Shemust also wear a GPS ankle bracelet and undergo mandatory counselling. She's alsoforbidden to contactvictims and is banned from usingthe internetandsocial media for two years.

Before announcing his decision, Gee empathized with thedoulas who fell victim to Braun.

Last month, more than a dozen of themsharedin their victim impact statements how their lives have suffered immensely due to Braun's actions, includingcoercingvictims into giving her massages while she was naked with the intent to insult or offend them.

"The 21 offences committed by Ms. Brauncaused significant long-lasting harm to her victims,"Gee said.

"The trauma caused was expressedeloquently by many during their victim impact statements. Many now have trust issues, it's impacted their abilities to carry out duties in their chosen profession as doulas, some have left the profession entirelyandall have suffered financially because of Ms. Braun."

'I am disgusted,' says victim

Adoulais atrained professional who supports clients before, during and shortly after childbirth. They also help with grief and trauma around pregnancy loss, but they're not health-care professionals who deliver babies and they don't have access to medical records or equipment. While doulas have certifications with different organizations, they are not registered with a regulating or governing body.

Gee said he didn't agree with the Crown's and defence's joint submission asking for the two-year conditional sentence for Braun, but is "reluctantly bound" toimpose the proposed sentence, given that Braun is a young, first-time offenderwho pleaded guilty.

"I appreciate that many victims will find this [ruling] as distasteful as I do," he said.

Some of Braun's victims who were in courtburst into tears when the decision was announced and later expressed their disappointment.

"I'm really upset. I was with her for nearly a week, and I am disgusted with her lawyer and our Crown attorney," LondondoulaMaighen Stanley told reporters outside court.

"I honestly cannot believe the sentence they imposed and I think the judge could agree with that. He was also quite upset with what the attorneys put forward to him. It's just really disheartening, but unfortunately his hands were tied."

Stanley said she is receiving professional support for hercomplex-post traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) diagnosis due to the ordeal with Braun.Although her trust isseverely broken, she said, she will continue working as a doula.

"I'm not going to let [Braun]win.I am going to continue to help people and give them the best support I can. I'm not going to let her ruin it for me."

WATCH | Doulas tell court how Braun's actions have traumatized them:

Woman who defrauded doulas with fake pregnancies awaits sentence

8 months ago

Duration 2:00

More than a dozen doulas who were defrauded by a registered social worker who faked pregnancies to receive services had their day in court to read victim impact statements.

Many other doulas said they've changed the way they take onnew clients and how they advertise their businesses includingadding false pretence clauses in their contracts andno longer offering virtual support and free services.

After hearing victim impact statement last month, Braun also addressed her victims in court, taking accountability for the "hurt and pain" her actions caused. Many doulassaid theyfelt her apology was insincere.

Gee also stated his concerns about Braun's long history of mental health challenges and the risk she posesto the community, referring to a psychological assessment,which found that Braun is very likely to reoffend. While treatment will modify the frequency, it will not stop it, the assessment found.

Gee took specific note of a public mischief charge Braun pleaded guilty to for trying to mislead the investigationby falselyaccusing one of her victims of sexually assaulting her in a video statement given to police under oath.

A publication ban protecting the identities of two more of the 17was lifted on Wednesday, leaving fourunder the ban.

Help resources

For anyone who has been sexually assaulted,support is available through crisis lines and local support services via thisgovernment of Canada websiteor theEnding Violence Association of Canada database. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.

For anyone struggling with their mental health,help is available through:

• Canada'sSuicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988.
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling onthe website.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention:Find a 24-hour crisis centre.

This guide from theCentre for Addiction and Mental Healthoutlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.