Summary of "The Con: Kaitlyn's Baby"

Episode 2: "Pink Flags"

Release Date: January 21, 2025
Host/Author: CBC + BBC World Service

Introduction

"The Con: Kaitlyn's Baby" is a gripping six-part true crime series produced by CBC and the BBC World Service. Hosted by Sarah Trelevin, the series delves into the enigmatic case of Kaitlyn Braun, a young woman who orchestrates a complex web of deception involving multiple birth workers. Season 2 continues the exploration of Kaitlyn's manipulative tactics, raising profound moral and ethical questions. This episode, titled "Pink Flags," focuses on the initial interactions between Kaitlyn and two doulas—Shauna and Kate—and the unraveling of Kaitlyn's deceit.

Content Warning: This episode contains strong language and references to sexual abuse, sexual behaviors, and baby loss.

Shauna's First Encounter with Kaitlyn

The episode opens with Shauna, a novice doula, detailing her experience assisting her first client, Kaitlyn Braun. Despite Shauna's limited experience, she is eager to apply her training to support Kaitlyn through labor.

• Shauna (00:31): "She would fall asleep and I would fall asleep, and then a couple hours later I would wake up to her having a contraction."

Shauna seeks guidance from her mentor, who praises her dedication (01:32). However, doubts arise when Shauna discovers that Kaitlyn was never actually pregnant.

• Shauna (21:25): "I can't just say that she assaulted me, because that's not what happened. I can't say she defrauded me, because that doesn't give you a picture of how emotionally it impacted me."

Kate's Experience with Kaitlyn

Kate, an experienced doula of over a decade who also works as a welder, shares her unsettling experience with Kaitlyn. From the outset, Kate senses irregularities in Kaitlyn's behavior and story.

• Kate (04:38): "I thought, like, wow, that's rough. Okay."
• Kate (05:07): "The story just really tugged at my heartstrings that somebody was going through a loss alone."

Despite noticing several "pink flags"—subtle signs that something is amiss—Kate's empathy compels her to continue supporting Kaitlyn.

• Kate (08:32): "I also thought it was odd that she wasn't peeing a lot because pregnant women are absolutely famous for needing to live in the bathroom."

As labor intensifies, Kate's suspicions grow. Kaitlyn exhibits bizarre behavior, including inappropriate comments and actions during labor, which raise red flags.

• Kate (12:35): "I think my subconscious was sending me a message."

Eventually, Kate uncovers evidence of Kaitlyn's fraudulent activities through social media, leading to a terrifying realization that Kaitlyn had been deceiving multiple doulas.

• Kate (19:00): "Caitlin Grace Braun had been faking pregnancies in Brantford."

The Unveiling of Kaitlyn's Deception

Shauna and Kate, both having been duped by Kaitlyn, connect and share their experiences, revealing that Kaitlyn's deceit was more widespread than initially thought. The revelation prompts them to seek justice and warn other doulas about Kaitlyn's manipulative schemes.

• Shauna (25:23): "Maybe she was telling everybody that this lady is not pregnant."

Despite multiple attempts to contact Kaitlyn for her response to the allegations, she declined to participate, leaving the victims seeking closure independently.

Concluding Insights

"Pink Flags" underscores the intricate psychological manipulation employed by Kaitlyn Braun, who not only fakes pregnancies but also orchestrates elaborate scenarios to deceive and exploit birth workers. The episode raises critical questions about trust, the vulnerability of those in supportive roles, and the lengths individuals might go to conceal their true intentions.

The doulas' experiences highlight the importance of vigilance and support within communities dedicated to care and assistance. As Kaitlyn's story unfolds, it serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of deception and the profound impact it can have on both victims and professionals striving to help.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Shauna (00:31): "She would fall asleep and I would fall asleep, and then a couple hours later I would wake up to her having a contraction."

• Shauna (21:25): "I can't just say that she assaulted me, because that's not what happened. I can't say she defrauded me, because that doesn't give you a picture of how emotionally it impacted me."

• Kate (04:38): "I thought, like, wow, that's rough. Okay."

• Kate (05:07): "The story just really tugged at my heartstrings that somebody was going through a loss alone."

• Kate (08:32): "I also thought it was odd that she wasn't peeing a lot because pregnant women are absolutely famous for needing to live in the bathroom."

• Kate (12:35): "I think my subconscious was sending me a message."

• Kate (19:00): "Caitlin Grace Braun had been faking pregnancies in Brantford."

• Shauna (25:23): "Maybe she was telling everybody that this lady is not pregnant."

Production Credits

This episode was written, researched, and produced by Sarah Trelevin and Kathleen Goldhar, with additional production support from Andrew Friesen and Alexis Green. Sound design and scoring were crafted by Mitchell Stewart, while Emily Quinnell served as the digital coordinating producer. The senior producer was Veronica Simmons, with Emily Mathieu handling fact-checking. Executive producers included Cecil Fernandez and Chris Oak, supported by senior manager Tanya Springer and director Arif Narani. Kat Collins was the senior producer, and John Mennell acted as the podcast commissioning editor.

"The Con: Kaitlyn's Baby" continues to unravel the intricacies of Kaitlyn Braun's manipulative actions, offering listeners a compelling narrative that challenges perceptions of trust and authenticity within the realm of caregiving professions.