RCMP have arrested Gloria Lemay, a self-described childbirth advocate and birth attendant from Vancouver Island. She has been charged with manslaughter.

A warrant was issued for Lemay on Jan. 7, 2025 and she was arrested later the same day.

B次元官网网址淥n Dec. 27, 2023, a baby was delivered unresponsive at a private residence in Ladysmith," according to a press release issued by the Ladysmith RCMP. "Despite life-saving efforts from BC Emergency Health Services and follow-up palliative care, the infant died on Jan. 6, 2024.B次元官网网址�

An investigation involving the Vancouver Island District General Investigation Section, the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the BC College of Nurses and Midwives and the BC Coroners Service was undertaken and 77-year-old Lemay was identified as the woman involved.

Investigators allege LemayB次元官网网址檚 role in the birth led to the babyB次元官网网址檚 injuries and eventual death.

LemayB次元官网网址檚 home was searched by the RCMP and officials from the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives in January, 2024, after reports that she may be unlawfully offering midwifery services. The BCCNM appeared in BC Supreme Court on Jan. 25, 2024 and obtained an order to search her residence and seize evidence.

The BCCNM issued an advisory at that time that Lemay, who was permanently banned from offering midwifery services by a court order in 2000 that was updated in 2018, was continuing to act as a birth attendant in B.C., and may be offering midwifery services and performing restricted activities.

Lemay is also facing a civil lawsuit from a Chemainus family who allege that Lemay mishandled the birth of their son. They are seeking compensation for B次元官网网址減sychological and physical harms collectively suffered due to the gross negligence and misrepresentationsB次元官网网址�, according to the suit. The child in that case was ultimately successfully born at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

She has not responded to the civil suit.