Social worker, 24, charged with sexual assault after hiring doulas to help with dummy pregnancies

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, has repeatedly lied to birth partners she hires, claiming she was in labor or stillborn.

She went to see the doulas – professionals who provide support during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period – and told them she had become pregnant after being sexually assaulted.

Brantford, Ontario police have charged her with 32 felonies – including criminal harassment, false pretences, fraud, sexual assault and indecent behavior.

It’s not clear what the indecent acts or sexual assault charges relate to, but doulas professionally offer physical assistance in a variety of ways, including massages and moving clients into different positions.

Social worker Kaitlyn Braun, 24, would lie to emotionally supportive birth partners, claiming she was in labor or had a stillbirth

Canadian Braun faces 10 counts of criminal harassment, 12 counts of false allegations, four counts of fraud, three counts of sexual assault and three counts of indecent action.

One victim, Amy Perry, says her experience with Braun traumatized her after eight days of trying to support the pregnancy faker.

Perry told CTV News she helped Braun virtually and for free, adding: “The moans, the sounds she was making were really realistic, even during the last stages of labor – during the transition – she even went so far as to let herself go to hand over what is the normal thing.

“We really felt like there is one person who is going through something really awful alone in the world, and we were just willing to put aside the scope of our practice and help her.”

Braun even showed Perry and another doula pictures of a stillborn baby and told them nurses at the hospital took it for them.

During the ordeal, Braun convinced the women that she had a bleeding disorder and kept them on the phone while she pretended to be undergoing medical procedures, then said she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Another victim posted her experience on TikTok, claiming Braun made “very realistic” sounds during her birth.

Shauna Hayes, who also volunteers, claims Braun told her she had been sexually assaulted outside a hospital, which is why she initially refused to go there.

Abigail Dienesch, a fourth victim, said she felt “hurt” after supporting Braun 24/7 via social media

The doula then drove her to the hospital, where she continued to fake labor for several hours.

Braun then claims she had an appointment with a nurse the next day before returning to the hospital.

During her appointment, nurses managed to find a heart rate for the baby — it’s unclear why — but when they did an ultrasound, they told Braun she wasn’t pregnant.

She then told her doula, “I’m so confused,” and declined any psychiatric help from the hospital, despite having had a scan three weeks earlier at Hamilton which showed she wasn’t pregnant.

Hayes said: “I just want her to stop, it’s not about punishment for me. It’s just about protecting other doulas and stopping them from going through what I went through.”

Another victim, who asked not to be identified, said: “It is bizarre and very sad that doulas have to screen or question their clients. I want to be able to take people at their word.”

She would visit the doulas – professionals who provide support during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period – and tell them that she had become pregnant after being sexually assaulted or suffered a stillbirth

Abigail Dienesch, a fourth victim, said she felt “hurt” after supporting Braun 24/7 via 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 dropped $800 for her services, added: “I would never suspect that anyone would go so far as to fake that.

A fifth woman also came forward and posted her story on social media, saying she was also scammed by Braun.

Police said the alleged scams took place between June 19, 2022 and February 17, 2023 and involved multiple doulas across Ontario.

The board of the Association of Ontario Doulas has released a statement hoping Braun will be held accountable.

It said: “As an organization, we recognize the trauma inflicted on the victims, our affected members and the wider community.

“These events have caused immeasurable pain and disrupted the functioning of doulas and their businesses, not just in Brantford but across Ontario and across Canada and the United States.”

Canadian Braun faces 10 counts of criminal harassment, 12 counts of false allegations, 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 her on the phone while she pretended to be undergoing medical procedures, then said she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer

Shauna Hayes, who also volunteers, claims Braun told her she had been sexually assaulted outside a hospital, so she initially refused to go there

A fifth woman also came forward and posted her story on social media, saying she was also scammed by Braun

The association hopes to find a way to offer advice and support to those affected.

Police confirmed they spoke to several women who were lied to by Braun and are urging others to get in touch.

Anyone with information can call Det. Kelsie Annaert at 519-756-7050, ext. 2262 or email kannaert@police.brantford.on.ca with information.

You can also get information and tips from Brantford Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477.

Anonymous tips can be submitted via www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip