Midwife Charged with Manslaughter Over Newcastle Home Birth Death

newy.com.au – A 36-year-old woman has been charged with manslaughter after the death of a baby boy during a home birth in Wallsend, near Newcastle, last year.

Police allege the woman, who was working as a privately practising midwife, failed to act on signs of medical complications during the birth on 2 October 2024, despite repeated requests from the mother to be taken to hospital.

Two days later, on 4 October 2024, the mother attended John Hunter Hospital, where the baby was delivered by emergency caesarean. Authorities say both the mother and newborn sustained serious medical complications during the incident.

The baby died in hospital on 10 October 2024. Officers from Newcastle City Police District launched Strike Force Girona to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.

Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested the woman at Newcastle Police Station around 8.30am on 14 August 2025. She has been charged with manslaughter and reckless grievous bodily harm.

The accused was refused bail and is scheduled to appear in Bail Division Court 2 later today.