Höre The Con: Kaitlyn's Baby

At  Kaitlyn Braun’s sentencing hearing, victim impact statements are shared. A court-ordered report lists concerns about Kaitlyn’s risk to reoffend. Would house arrest, probation and restricted internet access be enough? Unexpectedly, the judge says he needs more time before making a decision, urging the lawyers to come up with a better offer. Psychological experts weigh in on the complexity of cases like Kaitlyn’s, exploring questions about intent versus compulsion.  Content warning: This episode contains strong language and references to baby loss and sexual behaviour.

We learn that Kaitlyn is a registered social worker and are told a story that breaks from her pattern of targeting caregivers. A mother tells Sarah that Kaitlyn used her position of trust and authority as a social worker to wrongly accuse a child. And Sarah speaks to a representative of the sector’s regulatory body about how they are handling her case. Meanwhile the justice system has been processing her charges and Kaitlyn enters her plea.

After months of waiting and dozens more victims coming forward, the police take an interest in the case and start interviewing doulas. In March 2023, Kaitlyn Braun is arrested. She faces 52 counts of fraud, harassment and sexual assault. Aizia, shares stories with host Sarah Treleaven about growing up alongside Kaitlyn. Aizia talks about Kaitlyn’s kindness and generosity — and how she says it often came with strings attached. “When she needed you, she really needed you.” Aizia is shocked and horrified at Kaitlyn’s charges, but recognizes a familiar pattern, recounting what she says were Kaitlyn’s ongoing series of tragedies over the years, and her constant need for support and attention. Content warning: This episode contains strong language and references to baby loss and sexual behaviour.

The doulas unite, determined to do what the police don’t seem to be doing: stopping Kaitlyn. Kate and Seanna connect with other doulas through social media, discovering they’ve all been duped by Kaitlyn. As they try to get Kaitlyn help, Seanna and her mentor Teri reach out to Kaitlyn’s family to find out more about her situation. They even get Kaitlyn on the phone, who admits she knows what she’s doing is wrong but says she doesn’t know how to stop. Meanwhile, more and more doulas come forward — from other parts of North America too — to share similar stories of manipulation by Kaitlyn. Amy, another doula, calls the police for a wellness check on Kaitlyn, only to learn that law enforcement were already aware of Kaitlyn’s actions.  Content warning: This episode contains strong language, and references to baby loss and sexual behaviour.

Seanna is a new doula and excited to help her first client: Kaitlyn, 32 weeks pregnant, who reaches out online. Seanna goes to Kaitlyn’s home, assisting her through labour. But Seanna soon realizes that something doesn’t add up. Separately, another doula, Kate, also tends to Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn appears pregnant in person. Kate provides typical doula support — massages to help alleviate discomfort, and assisting her in and out of the shower. When Seanna convinces Kaitlyn it’s time to go to the hospital, Kaitlyn receives an ultrasound. The technician, to Seanna’s shock, reveals there’s no pregnancy; the only thing in her uterus is a contraceptive device. Seanna takes to social media to warn other doulas about Kaitlyn’s scam. When Kate gets the sense that something isn’t right, she searches social media and finds Seanna’s post about Kaitlyn’s fake pregnancy. The two connect and realise they had the same traumatic experience with Kaitlyn, and plan to expose Kaitlyn’s con to the wider birth worker community. Content warning: This episode contains strong language and references to sexual abuse, sexual behaviour and baby loss.