Midwife accused of manslaughter: 'Justice can be done'
COQUILLE, Ore. (AP) — A Bandon midwife who helped deliver a baby who died a few days after birth pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
The defense attorney for Marcene Rebeck said that her client did nothing wrong. The defense alleges Coos County District Attorney R. Paul Frasier presented an incomplete picture to the grand jurors who handed down an indictment.
"Our job will be to paint the full picture so that justice can be done," Laura Fine said.
The unlicensed midwife has delivered more than 300 babies in 30 years, The World newspaper of Coos Bay reported, and she can continue to practice as she awaits future court dates.
Outside the courtroom Monday, roughly 75 supporters chanted the midwife's name while carrying signs that read, "Home birth is legal" and "Our community loves Marcene."
Young children wore signs that read, "I'm a Rebeck baby."
"'We love her and trust her; these charges are completely unjust," said Nicole Kraynik, whose children were delivered by Rebeck.
The case against Rebeck stems from the death of a baby girl who died from septic shock on June 18, 2011.
Frasier said Rebeck provided "substandard" care after the baby was born, and the girl would have survived if the midwife had recommended prompt medical attention. He said eight medical consultants, including five midwives, were consulted and they drew the same conclusion after studying written and video records of the birth.
In court papers, Frasier said Rebeck advised Bethany Reed and Arkus Rodriguez that their daughter did not need medical attention despite multiple indications that something was wrong.
Rebeck reported in handwritten notes that the baby, two minutes after birth, had "no heart rate, very limp, very pale gray, without muscle tone, vigorously rubbed and did percussions -- cord very short." Moreover, the girl had no rooting reflex, a reflex babies have to seek their mother's breast milk.
Three days later, the worried parents took the newborn to a local hospital, where it was determined she was in septic shock. The baby was transported to a Springfield hospital, where she died the following day.
Coos County Medical Examiner Kris Karcher investigated the death and noted "several deficiencies in the care the baby received," Frasier said.
Karcher consulted local doctors and experts from the nurse-midwifery program at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. Frasier said all agreed the baby would have survived had medical intervention been sought immediately after birth.
In her report, Karcher said Rebeck's "lack of recognition or disregard for the need of medical intervention" makes her a "dangerous practitioner, and it is only a matter of time before another bad outcome will occur."
Some supporters of the midwife used the term "witch hunt" to describe the DA's decision to pursue charges.
Frasier said he understands the outpouring of support for Rebeck, but he denies their claims that he opposes midwifery.
"There will be times when I have to make a decision that will be unpopular, and this is one of those cases," he said.
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Information from: The World, http://www.theworldlink.com
Rebeck reported in handwritten notes that the baby, two minutes after birth, had "no heart rate, very limp, very pale gray, without muscle tone, vigorously rubbed and did percussions -- cord very short." Moreover, the girl had no rooting reflex, a reflex babies have to seek their mother's breast milk.
 Three days later, the worried parents took the newborn to a local hospital, where it was determined she was in septic shock. The baby was transported to a Springfield hospital, where she died the following day.
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For me, why is she the only one responsible for the loss of this child. The parents and the midwife own this loss together. They chose to work together to bring this baby into the world. Why the worried parents waited for 3 days to take the baby to the hospital is an issue. There were things wrong right out of the gate. Both parties should have gone for medical attention as soon as the heart rate, pale gray, short cord and lack of rooting reflex became visisble. Those red flags were out the minute this child was born and no one responded.
The sad part for all involved is that if the justice system feels a felony has been committed they are required to pursue charges and that is what they did.Â
Rebeck isn't claiming to be a doctor. She simply helping women who choose to give birth at home.
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Its awful that this baby died, but I don't think she was at fault. I think her track record of many successful deliveries speaks for itself. Babies die in the hospital too. Its very sad, but punishing this woman will not bring back the baby.
I don't think she is a murderer in the least. I do think that she should have made a better judgement call regarding the baby's medical condition, however. Same thing regarding the parents. If it was my baby I wouldn't have waited 3 days to take the child to the hospital. If the baby wasn't looking "better" within 24 hours I would have gone straight there. Common sense.
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I feel sorry for the parents that lost their child, however. That's a very sad thing.
Everyone knows that child birth is an unnatural act that requires the assistance of a hospital and licensed healthcare provider. Frasier want to burn her at the stake, she practices witchcraft. 50 million children have been deliberately killed, you would think that Frasier could find a "murderer with extreme indifference" and not condemn a woman who has spent her life helping other women have a natural birth.  It is sad that you cannot be born or die without licensed approval.Â
When you have a child at your local hospital there is a pediatrician on hand to assess the child and note if there are any medical problems that need to be addressed. When you choose a midwife at home you are taking your life and the life of your child into your own hands. Donât get me wrong I do believe that home birth is ok but the child should be checked out by a pediatrician ASAP.  Babies are delivered in many different locations other than the hospital, but the first thing they do, after the birth, is to take the mother and child to the hospital to be checked out.
Question: Is this midwife taking money for her services? If yes, I think she should be licensed.
Everyone has come out saying how professonal she was,I dont even think the family of the deceased baby wanted to press charges from what Ive read, District Attorney paul fraiser is is not a good DA,
I notice that nobody charges doctors when they have "bad outcomes"Â but nothing against midwives ya' know.