The Con: Kaitlyn's Baby
Episode 5: It Gets Worse
Release Date: February 11, 2025
Produced by CBC and BBC World Service

Introduction

In Episode 5, titled "It Gets Worse," of The Con: Kaitlyn's Baby, host Sarah Treleaven delves deeper into the intricate web of deception spun by Kaitlyn Braun, a licensed social worker whose actions have left a trail of devastation among those she was meant to help. This episode uncovers the escalating consequences of Kaitlyn's manipulations, particularly focusing on the false allegations against Nadia's son and the systemic failures that allowed Kaitlyn's deceit to flourish.

Kaitlyn Braun: From Graduate to Manipulator

Kaitlyn Braun graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University's Faculty of Social Work in 2020, a program renowned for preparing graduates to support vulnerable populations. Her social media profiles, including those of her and her mother, painted a picture of a dedicated professional ready to make a positive impact. However, beneath this facade, Kaitlyn was orchestrating a series of manipulative and deceitful acts.

Steve Patterson [01:39]: "I don't know where it stemmed from, but I feel like she really, she liked to be needed."

Kaitlyn's expertise in social work provided her with both the knowledge and the trustworthiness to exploit vulnerable individuals, particularly doulas who were providing support during her pregnancy. Starting in June 2022, Kaitlyn began deceiving doulas with fabricated stories of personal trauma, including rape, baby loss, and being in a coma.

Denitha Breaux [10:08]: "So this member is a social work registrant and in mid-2022 to about mid-2023, conduct that this individual engaged in was brought to the college's attention."

Nadia's Ordeal: A False Allegation

One of the most harrowing accounts comes from Nadia, a First Nations woman whose son became entangled in Kaitlyn's deceit. In June 2022, Kaitlyn falsely accused Nadia's son of sexual assault, leading to a deeply distressing investigation that ultimately found no wrongdoing on his part.

Nadia [04:04]: "I got the call from my son's dad and he said, hey, like, the situation just came up. My son had been accused of, like, sexual assault, sexual harassment. And he couldn't even finish, like, he was so upset. And I was like, what? What are you talking about?"

Upon reviewing security footage spanning three days, the police determined that the allegations were unfounded, revealing that the only interaction between Nadia's son and Kaitlyn was a benign high-five in a hallway.

Nadia [05:23]: "The police came in, grabbed all of their video footage, went through, I don't know, it was like three days worth of video."

Despite being cleared, the emotional toll on Nadia and her family was immense. The realization that Kaitlyn could fabricate such serious allegations meant that others might also be susceptible to false accusations.

Nadia [08:02]: "I was wondering maybe if we did go through with it, if that would be another charge to keep her in jail, possibly, I don't know. Or if my son's story came out, would other people come forward?"

Regulatory Response: Ontario College of Social Workers

The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers faced scrutiny over its handling of the complaints against Kaitlyn. Doulas and other professionals had submitted reports detailing Kaitlyn's deceitful conduct, yet many felt their concerns were not adequately addressed until her arrest.

Denitha Breaux [10:21]: "It was related to deceitful, misleading and dishonest conduct."

When pressed about the delays and perceived inaction, Denitha Breaux, CEO of the regulatory body, acknowledged the severity of the situation but cited limitations within their regulatory framework.

Denitha Breaux [11:38]: "This case was so different from anything that we would normally have seen."

Following Kaitlyn's arrest, her license to practice social work was temporarily suspended. The College indicated that a disciplinary panel would evaluate the case, considering factors such as public safety and the severity of her actions.

Denitha Breaux [12:16]: "At that point in time, we're not the decision maker. Discipline panel will decide what the outcome would be and all of those terms, conditions, suspensions, revocation, are available outcomes to that discipline panel."

Legal Proceedings: Kaitlyn's Guilty Plea

As the legal repercussions unfolded, Kaitlyn faced a barrage of charges, culminating in a guilty plea in December 2023. The courtroom proceedings revealed the breadth of her misconduct, with 21 charges filed against her, including public mischief and indecent acts.

Steve Patterson [14:28]: "Here in this nondescript courtroom in the small Ontario city of Brantford, the court clerk reads out the long list of charges."

Kaitlyn's decision to plead guilty marked only the beginning of her legal struggles, as the court grappled with appropriate sentencing. Nadia expressed a desire for a sentence severe enough to prevent Kaitlyn from harming others in the future.

Nadia [15:37]: "So the ideal for sentencing for me would be, like, locking her up long enough that she can't do this anymore. Like, to the point where, like, she's 50 and obviously can't pass as a pregnant woman."

Systemic Implications and Reflections

The episode underscores significant systemic issues, particularly the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in social services—a legacy of historical colonization. Kaitlyn's ability to exploit and manipulate within this framework raises critical questions about oversight, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable communities.

Steve Patterson [05:52]: "In Canada, there's an over representation of indigenous people who need access to social services. This stems from a long history of colonization going back hundreds of years."

Furthermore, the case highlights the challenges faced by regulatory bodies in swiftly addressing misconduct and protecting both professionals and those they serve.

Conclusion and Looking Forward

Episode 5, "It Gets Worse," paints a poignant and distressing picture of Kaitlyn Braun's manipulation and the far-reaching impacts of her deceit. As legal proceedings continue, the episode leaves listeners pondering the efficacy of current systems in preventing such abuses of trust and the broader implications for social work and vulnerable communities.

Steve Patterson [16:06]: "We made numerous attempts to contact Kaitlin Braun, outlining the allegations made through the series and inviting her to respond to what has been said. She made it clear to me that she didn't want to be involved with the podcast."

As the series progresses, listeners can anticipate further revelations and analyses in the subsequent episodes, unraveling the full extent of Kaitlyn's cons and the quest for truth and justice by those affected.

Notable Quotes

• Steve Patterson [01:39]: "I don't know where it stemmed from, but I feel like she really, she liked to be needed."

• Nadia [04:04]: "I got the call from my son's dad and he said, hey, like, the situation just came up. My son had been accused of, like, sexual assault, sexual harassment. And he couldn't even finish, like, he was so upset. And I was like, what? What are you talking about?"

• Denitha Breaux [10:21]: "It was related to deceitful, misleading and dishonest conduct."

• Nadia [08:02]: "I was wondering maybe if we did go through with it, if that would be another charge to keep her in jail, possibly, I don't know. Or if my son's story came out, would other people come forward?"

• Denitha Breaux [11:38]: "This case was so different from anything that we would normally have seen."

• Nadia [15:37]: "So the ideal for sentencing for me would be, like, locking her up long enough that she can't do this anymore. Like, to the point where, like, she's 50 and obviously can't pass as a pregnant woman."

Production Credits

• Written, Researched, and Produced by: Sarah Treleaven, Kathleen Goldhar
• Extra Production Support: Andrew Friesen, 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, Chris Oak
• Senior Manager: Tanya Springer
• Director of CBC Podcasts for the BBC World Service: Arif Narrani
• Senior Producer: Cat Collins
• Podcast Commissioning Editor: John Mennell

The Con: Kaitlyn's Baby is a collaborative production by CBC and the BBC World Service, continuing the acclaimed tradition of uncovering the depths of deception in human interactions.