| For Immediate Release Case # 09CF0692
May 28, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
WOMAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR ACTING AS MIDWIFE WITHOUT CERTIFICATION DURING HOME DELIVERY OF BABY GIRL
*Due to medical complications, the baby was later stillborn at the hospital
SANTA ANA – A woman who acted as a midwife without proper certification during the home delivery of a baby girl will be arraigned tomorrow on one felony count of the unauthorized practice of medicine after medical complications resulted in the baby being stillborn. Megan Marie Roy, 33, Ventura, faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison if convicted. Roy is out of custody on $50,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Friday, May 29, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Pregnant victim Jane Doe wanted to deliver her baby at home and hired a midwife for the delivery. Prior to the birth of the baby, the midwife moved out of state and introduced Roy to Jane Doe as a substitute. Roy, who was not certified as a midwife, is accused of gaining the victim’s trust and claiming to be just shy of being certified.
On March 24, 2008, Roy is accused of acting as a midwife without certification for Jane Doe’s delivery. The defendant is accused of failing to have a doctor or other certified medical personnel present at the victim’s Garden Grove home during the delivery. She is accused of acting as the primary medical care provider to Jane Doe without the necessary skills, licensing or knowledge to deliver the baby or handle medical complications
After several hours in labor and obvious physical signs of distress, the baby’s father called 9-1-1. Jane Doe was transported to the hospital, where her baby girl was delivered stillborn.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Olivieri of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.
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