Summary of "The Con: Kaitlyn's Baby" – Episode 1: "The Barking Dog"

Introduction

"The Con: Kaitlyn's Baby" is a gripping six-part true crime series produced by CBC and the BBC World Service. Season 2 delves into the intricate web of deception spun by Kaitlyn Braun, a young pregnant woman whose actions leave birth workers questioning their role and the authenticity of her crisis. Episode 1, titled "The Barking Dog," sets the stage for this complex narrative, introducing listeners to the emotional turmoil experienced by doulas Amy Perry and Katie as they navigate Kaitlyn's escalating medical and personal crises.

Setting the Scene

The episode opens on a chilly Friday night in November 2022. Amy Perry, a seasoned doula managing the Facebook group "Placenta Squad," is ill with an RSV virus, confined to her bed, and idly scrolling through social media. Despite her condition, Amy is drawn into a distressing situation when she encounters a post from Katie about a client in crisis.

Notable Quote:

Sarah Treleaven (00:35): "A warning. This story contains references to medical emergencies, including baby loss. We also deal with sexual assault and there is some strong language."

Introduction to Kaitlyn Braun

Katie, a fellow doula, shares her experience with Caitlin Braun, a 24-year-old grappling with the aftermath of a traumatic sexual assault that resulted in an unexpected pregnancy. Caitlin's claim of being a victim of systemic neglect and abuse sets the tone for the challenges ahead.

Notable Quote:

Katie (03:35): "She said, basically, like, she is just kind of a victim of the system, if you will, and had gone through, like, years of different forms of abuse and just was like somebody that had fallen through the cracks at kind of every point along the way."

Navigating Labor Online

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, doula support occurs primarily over the phone. As Caitlin enters labor, Katie and Amy provide continuous support, guiding her through contractions and offering emotional reassurance. Caitlin shares intimate details, such as naming her stillborn baby Eden, reinforcing the deep bond forming between her and the doulas.

Notable Quote:

Amy Perry (05:24): "We used the name Eden, both of us, regularly. She would say things like, 'I'm gonna get to hold you soon. Eden, you were brought into my life for a reason.'"

Escalation of Medical Emergencies

Caitlin's labor is tumultuous, marked by severe contractions, heavy vomiting, and fluctuating cognitive states. As labor progresses, Amy becomes increasingly concerned about Caitlin's deteriorating condition, prompting the need for hospitalization.

Notable Quote:

Amy Perry (12:03): "She tells me that she forgot to hit the confirm ride button. And so that's why the time had been dancing."

Suspicion and Red Flags

Upon reaching the hospital, inconsistencies begin to emerge. Caitlin is sent home despite being in active labor and is prescribed Pitocin with a suspiciously delayed appointment time. Amy and Katie start noticing discrepancies, such as Caitlin consistently wearing a sports bra instead of a hospital gown and the peculiar timing of medical interventions.

Notable Quote:

Amy Perry (15:10): "They wouldn't admit her until she was 5 centimeters, which sounds weird to me, but I'm not there."

Investigating the Deception

As Caitlin's medical issues compound—necessitating a hysterectomy, combating severe bleeding, and facing potential septicemia—Amy and Katie grow skeptical. They begin reverse image searching Caitlin's photos, uncovering that her images are commonly found online, raising doubts about her legitimacy.

Notable Quote:

Katie (37:00): "I started reverse image searching stuff that she had sent us. The photo of a stillborn baby that she sent to Amy. And it was like something so ridiculous, like if you type in '32 weeks stillborn baby' on Google Images, it's like the second picture that pops up."

The Barking Dog: A Mysterious Element

A critical moment occurs when Amy hears a dog barking in the ICU, an anomaly that deepens the mystery surrounding Caitlin's situation. This unusual detail, coupled with Caitlin's assurances that the assault by a doctor is being handled discreetly, intensifies Amy's suspicions.

Notable Quote:

Amy Perry (35:20): "She says, 'I'm in the back of the ambulance and there's a doctor here and he's scaring me.' And the phone call cuts and I am picturing her being raped in the back of an ambulance by a doctor."

Cliffhanger and Ongoing Mystery

The episode culminates in heightened tension as Caitlin reports being assaulted in an ambulance, only to later claim the incident is over. Conflicting reports and the lack of public news coverage about the alleged assault prompt Amy and Katie to question the authenticity of Caitlin's narrative. The presence of a dog in an ICU and Caitlin's evasive behavior further complicate the situation, suggesting that Kaitlyn might be orchestrating a sophisticated con.

Notable Quote:

Amy Perry (35:43): "I have spent a lot of time in ICUs, both for myself and with other people and I have never and could not imagine a situation where someone would have a dog in an ICU."

Conclusion and Next Steps

As "The Barking Dog" wraps up, Amy and Katie are left in a state of disbelief and confusion, grappling with the realization that Kaitlyn Braun may not be who she claims to be. Their discovery of red flags and inconsistencies sets the stage for further investigation, promising a deeper unraveling of Kaitlyn’s motives and methods in subsequent episodes.

Notable Quote:

Amy Perry (37:46): "Like, I'm about to be kidnapped."

Final Thoughts

"The Barking Dog" masterfully intertwines personal narratives with investigative threads, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll of deceit on caregivers. The episode leaves listeners on edge, eager to uncover the truth behind Kaitlyn Braun's intricate web of lies and the true extent of her con.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Amy Perry (04:23): "We remind them that she's safe, that she's in good hands, that there's people here to help her, that she's not alone, that she's going to get to hold her baby soon."

• Amy Perry (12:03): "She tells me that she forgot to hit the confirm ride button. And so that's why the time had been dancing."

• Amy Perry (15:10): "They wouldn't admit her until she was 5 centimeters, which sounds weird to me, but I'm not there."

• Katie (37:00): "I started reverse image searching stuff that she had sent us. The photo of a stillborn baby that she sent to Amy. And it was like something so ridiculous, like if you type in '32 weeks stillborn baby' on Google Images, it's like the second picture that pops up."

• Amy Perry (35:20): "She says, 'I'm in the back of the ambulance and there's a doctor here and he's scaring me.' And the phone call cuts and I am picturing her being raped in the back of an ambulance by a doctor."

• Amy Perry (35:43): "I have spent a lot of time in ICUs, both for myself and with other people and I have never and could not imagine a situation where someone would have a dog in an ICU."

• Amy Perry (37:46): "Like, I'm about to be kidnapped."

Production Credits:

• Written and Produced by: Sarah Treleaven and Kathleen Goldhar
• Extra Production Support: Andrew Friesen and Alexis Green
• Sound Design and Scoring: Mitchell Stewart
• Digital Coordinating Producer: Emily Quinnell
• Senior Producer: Veronica Simmons
• Fact Checker: Emily Mathieu
• Executive Producers: Cecil Fernandez and Chris Oak
• Senior Manager: Tanya Springer
• Director of CBC Podcasts for the BBC World Service: R.F. Narrani
• Senior Producer: Kat Collins
• Podcast Commissioning Editor: John Mennell

Content Warnings:

This episode contains references to medical emergencies, baby loss, sexual assault, and includes strong language. Listener discretion is advised.

Availability:

"The Con: Kaitlyn's Baby" is available for streaming on CBC, BBC World Service, and all major podcast platforms.