Two women have been charged with manslaughter after a baby boy died during a breech home birth – with neither of the allegedly unregistered midwives having the ‘proper training or equipment’
Two women have been charged with manslaughter after allegedly attempting a risky home birth – despite not having the proper training or knowledge to do so.
In September 2022, emergency services were called to a property near Coffs Harbour, Australia, where a baby boy unresponsive following a home birth. The infant was flown to hospital after being treated by paramedics at the scene, but tragically later died despite the efforts of the medical team to save him.
The two allegedly untrained midwives are accused of having attempted the home birth of the baby boy – who was breech, making it much riskier – ‘without the adequate training, knowledge or equipment”.
Christina Meyer, 41, and Penelope ‘Penny’ Burrows, 51, were both arrested more than two years later in March 2025 and have been granted bail after being charged with manslaughter of the infant.
News.com.au reports that “court documents, seen by NewsWire, state the pair allegedly caused the boy’s death in circumstances amounting to manslaughter.”
Neither of the women has entered a plea at this point in the court proceedings.
Burrows did not attend a court hearing this week, with her legal representative appearing instead. However, Meyer did attend, dressed casually in a blue linen shirt tied at the waist, and a pair of baggy black trousers. The magistrate – Theresa Hamilton – adjourned their case until August 26.
Both women have been ordered to stop providing any medical care to the public by the New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission – whether they are paid for their services or not.
The interim order has been in place since May 2023 stopping the pair from working as “doulas, midwives, birth keepers, childbirth educators, birth workers, birth support, unregistered midwives or lay midwives” and has so far been extended until July 2025.
According to the Daily Telegraph Australia, police allege that Burrows had “no medical qualifications whatsoever” and Meyer had not registered as a midwife.
Burrows has been told as a condition of her bail she must not contact Meyer in any capacity, and stay away from the baby’s family. She is also not allowed to speak to or try to contact anyone who may be a witness for the prosecution.
News.com.au reports that investigating police disputed the granting of bail to Burrows, “A senior constable who dealt with Ms Burrows’ bail conditions noted there was a concern if she was released from custody she could interfere with witnesses or evidence, according to court documents.”