Self-named midwife held after baby dies

A Nebraska woman who advertised herself as a midwife specializing in home births — but who prosecutors said did not have the proper certification — is facing a homicide charge after the troubled delivery of a newborn resulted in the baby’s death.

Angela Hock, who surrendered to the police Tuesday in the June 17 death of the 2-day-old girl, appeared Friday in Douglas County Court in Omaha, and was expected to be released on a $25,000 bond.

Stuart Dornan, a lawyer for Hock, 36, said in an interview Friday night that his client planned to plead innocent to the charge of negligent child abuse. The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Despite not having a certification to practice as a midwife, prosecutors said, Hock had tried to deliver the baby in a breech position, when there is an elevated risk to a baby because the feet and buttocks, not head, are first to exit the birth canal.

The baby suffered swelling of the brain from a 10-minute loss of oxygen, and wasn’t moving during the partial delivery, according to a criminal complaint, which said paramedics had attempted to resuscitate the infant when she was delivered June 15. The baby, named Vera by her parents, died two days later after her parents, Emily and Crayton Noe, removed her from life support.

Nebraska law requires nurse-midwives to be certified by the state — and they must be under the supervision of a licensed medical practitioner in a health care facility or in an authorized setting. They are prohibited from delivering babies at home.