77-year-old Duncan woman acting as midwife charged with manslaughter of newborn baby

A 77-year-old Duncan woman, who was permanently banned from practicing midwifery more than two decades ago, has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of a newborn infant in late 2023.

In a media release from Ladysmith RCMP, on December 27th, 2023, an unresponsive baby was delivered at a private residence in Ladysmith.

Despite life-saving efforts by BC Emergency Health Services (BC EHS) and subsequent palliative care, the infant succumbed to injuries on January 6th, 2024.

An extensive investigation led by the Vancouver Island District General Investigation Section (ID GIS), with support from the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM), and the BC Coroners Service, identified Gloria Lemay as being involved in the delivery.

Related: Duncan woman acting as midwife has been banned from practicing since 2000

Investigators allege that her actions during the birth contributed to the infant’s fatal injuries. A warrant for Lemay’s arrest was issued on January 7th of this year. She was taken into custody later that day and formally charged with manslaughter.

Lemay, who refers to herself as a “childbirth activist,” has a long history of legal and regulatory issues concerning the unlawful practice of midwifery in BC.

The BC College of Nurses and Midwives confirmed in a February 2024 advisory that Lemay is not and has never been a registered midwife in the province. At that time, details of the infant’s death were not released, likely due to the ongoing investigation.

She has been permanently banned from practicing midwifery since 2000. Despite this, she continued to present herself as a birth educator and attendant through her website, Wise Woman Way of Birth.

Over the years, Lemay has faced numerous allegations and legal actions related to her involvement in unregulated midwifery, according to a report by CBC. She has been accused of violating court orders, resulting in jail time for contempt of court, and has faced scrutiny for incidents involving the deaths of a newborn and a fetus under her care.

In one high-profile case, Lemay was charged with criminal negligence causing death following a fetus’s death during delivery in 1985. Although initially found guilty in BC Supreme Court, she was later acquitted on appeal due to the legal status of a fetus.

This case has once again highlighted the dangers of unregulated midwifery and the importance of adhering to provincial regulations for childbirth services.

BCCNM encourages the public to verify the registration status for any individual who holds themselves out as a midwife via the midwife verification on the BCCNM website or by directing an inquiry to the BCCNM Registration department (midwives and nurses).

RCMP said no further details would be released due to the ongoing investigation.