Photo: Douglas County Jail
An unlicensed midwife who billed herself as a “birthing professional” has been charged with homicide after unsuccessfully attempting to help a pregnant woman give birth to her breech daughter.
Angela Hock, 36, was booked into the Douglas County Jail in Nebraska on Wednesday and charged with negligent child abuse resulting in death,online recordsshow.
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Lessman also noted that she believed the birth was handled “negligently,” and because of that, Vera died a preventable death.
“[Hock] placed the child in a situation that endangered her life … and deprived [her] of necessary medical care,” Deputy County Attorney Molly Keane told theOmaha World-Herald. “Her actions in doing so resulted in the death of this child.”
Noe and her husband Crayton Noe paid Hock somewhere between $3,000 and $4,000 for her services, according to investigators, despite the fact that she was confirmed not to hold any medical or certified nurse midwife license with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, according to the affidavit.
Crayton penned an emotionalFacebook notefollowing the death of his daughter, writing, “She didn’t feel any pain and she was so peaceful … We are strong but this hurts so much.”
“Vera will never be forgotten,” he added.
Hock writes on theNebraska Birth Keeperwebsite that she started the company in 2017 after first launching her career as a “birth professional” in 2004.
She says she discovered her “calling to help women find their power and ancient wisdom through traditional midwifery” after attending births as a doula in 2013, and currently possesses “knowledge in many birthing techniques.”
Hock is married with four children, according to her website. It was unclear if she had retained an attorney to speak on her behalf.
ABC News reports she turned herself in on Tuesday, and is awaiting a court appearance. She could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
source: people.com
