BC woman banned from practicing midwifery charged following death of newborn infant

A British Columbia woman who was legally banned from practicing midwifery has been arrested following the death of a newborn infant.

Gloria Lemay, 77, was subsequently charged with manslaughter.

According to the BC RCMP, the incident took place on December 27, 2023 in Ladysmith, a small town on Vancouver Island. Lemay allegedly participated in the home-birth of the baby, helping the mother with delivery.

When the newborn arrived, however, they were "unresponsive." BC Emergency Health Services personnel were called to the scene and did what they could to save their life. Despite their efforts, and ensuing palliative care, the infant passed away nine days later, on January 6, 2024.

An investigation was launched by the Vancouver Island District General Investigation Section involving the Ministry of Children and Family Development, and the BC College of Nurses and Midwives, as well as the BC Coroners Service.

Lemay was identified as the alleged midwife, and it was determined that her actions may have "led to the child's injuries and eventual death." She was apprehended on January 7, 2025 just hours after a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Police noted that, "as this matter is now before the courts, no further details can be shared at this time."

According to the BC College of Nurses & Midwives, Lemay "is not, and has never been, a registrant of BCCNM and is not entitled to practice midwifery in British Columbia."

In a January 2024 notice, the college noted that Lemay "is the subject of a permanent court order in BC, granted on Feb. 2, 2000, which permanently prohibited and enjoined her from performing services for the purpose of midwifery, as defined by the Midwives Regulation, recovering any fee or remuneration in any court in respect of the performance of services for the purposes of midwifery, and using the title “Midwife" or any name, title, description or abbreviation in any manner that expresses or implies that she is a registrant or is associated with the former College of Midwives of British Columbia, now amalgamated as BC College of Nurses and Midwives."