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Unlicensed midwife facing charges in death of infant

Posted at 12:39 PM, Jul 03, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-03 18:37:00-04

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The Omaha Police Department (OPD) says an unlicensed midwife is facing charges after a baby she was helping deliver died.

On June 15, Omaha medics say 36-year-old Angela Hock was attempting to help a pregnant woman deliver at home when the baby, later named Vera, became a breech birth.

Medics say Hock attempted a "medical procedure" in an attempt to deliver the child but that it was ultimately delivered by a paramedic while on the way to Nebraska Medicine.

Nebraska Medicine staff informed police that "the lack of oxygen caused severe, life-threatening swelling of Vera's brain."

Two days later on June 17, Vera was pronounced deceased after being removed from life support. Doctors told police that the child's death would have been preventable "with proper medical staff."

The Police report says Hock "offers her traditional midwife services for home births through her company's website Nebraska Birth Keepers."

UPDATE - The Douglas County Department of Corrections say she is currently being held without bond on a charge of child abuse resulting in death.

Tonight on 3 News Now Reporter Alexa Reye will have more on this story available on-air, on our website and on the 3 News Now apps for streaming and mobile devices.

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