Private Midwife and Content Creator Arrested and Charged with Manslaughter After Baby Dies Following Home Birth
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A private midwife and content creator was arrested in Australia after a baby died following a home birth that she allegedly oversaw
Oyebola "Bibi" Coxon was charged with manslaughter on Aug. 14, more than 10 months after a baby boy whose birth she oversaw died
Police allege that Coxon "did not act upon signs of complications and requests by the woman to attend hospital"
A private midwife has been arrested after the death of a baby following a home birth in Australia.
On Thursday, Aug. 14, New South Wales (NSW) Police Force confirmed that a 36-year-old woman was taken into custody at Newcastle Police Station at around 8:30 a.m. local time "following extensive inquiries by strike force detectives," per a news release.
NSW Police Force identified the woman arrested as Oyebola Coxon in an email to PEOPLE. Per 7 News, Coxon also went by the name Bibi and was a content creator. However, it appears as though Coxon's social media pages have all since been deleted or taken down.
Police said in Thursday's news release, "A woman who worked as a midwife will face court today charged with manslaughter following the death of a baby during a home birth near Newcastle last year."
"On Wednesday 2 October 2024, a privately practicing midwife attended a home in Wallsend to assist a woman with a home birth," the release stated.
"Police will allege in court that over the following two days, the midwife did not act upon signs of complications and requests by the woman to attend hospital," Thursday's post noted, confirming that on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, "the woman attended John Hunter Hospital where the baby was delivered by emergency caesarean."
"Police have been told that the mother and baby suffered significant medical complications as a result of the incident," police continued.
The release stated that the baby boy died in hospital on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, "and police attached to Newcastle City Police District commenced inquiries under Strike Force Girona."
Coxon has been charged with manslaughter and reckless grievous bodily harm.
Per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the suspect has been granted conditional bail after appearing in court on Thursday afternoon.
The outlet noted that her bail conditions include that she must not act, practice or educate any person relating to pregnancy or birth. She's also been told to surrender her Italian and Australian passports, as well as having to report to Nelson Bay Police Station daily.
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A Hunter New England Health District spokesperson confirmed that Coxon had not been employed with their health district for several years, per 7 News.
The outlet noted that Coxon had previously gone viral in 2022 after sharing "graphic images" of the home birth of her twins.
According to a LinkedIn page that appears to belong to Coxon, her last midwife job was at New Maitland Hospital in the Maitland suburb of Metford, but the profile doesn't appear to have been updated recently.
The suspect's case is due to return to court in October, per the ABC.
NSW Courts and Hunter New England Health District didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.
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