Sea of Lies from Uncover: The Con — Kaitlyn’s Baby

Podcast Information:

• Title: Sea of Lies from Uncover
• Host/Author: CBC
• Episode: Uncover Introduces | The Con: Kaitlyn’s Baby
• Release Date: March 17, 2025
• Host of Series: Sarah Trelevin
• Narrative Style: Combines investigative journalism with personal testimonies to unravel complex true crime stories.

Overview

"The Con: Kaitlyn’s Baby" is a gripping episode from CBC’s Uncover series, hosted by award-winning journalist Sarah Trelevin. This six-part series delves into the intricate web woven by Caitlin Braun, a woman whose deceptive actions involve manipulating doulas, resulting in a staggering $6 billion gold scam. The narrative spans continents and decades, revealing how Caitlin exploited the compassionate nature of birth workers to orchestrate one of the most audacious cons in recent history.

Setting the Stage

The story begins in November 2022, introducing Amy Perry (timestamp [01:32]), a dedicated doula managing a Facebook group called Placenta Squad, alongside her colleague, Katie. Both women are deeply committed to supporting pregnant individuals through emotional and physical challenges, distinguishing their roles from medical professionals like midwives.

Amy Perry explains her passion for doula work:

"I could make my own hours. I could work around my health, I could have my own business... I've grown up taking care of people and this is very natural for me." ([02:37])

The Arrival of Caitlin Braun

In a seemingly tragic scenario, Caitlin Braun, a 24-year-old pregnant woman dealing with the aftermath of a sexual assault, reaches out to Katie for support during her stillbirth. Katie describes Caitlin as someone who has been "a victim of the system" ([04:16]), indicating a troubled past marked by abuse and neglect.

As Covid-19 constraints limit in-person interactions, Caitlin’s labor unfolds over phone calls, with Katie eventually passing the responsibility to Amy due to her own illness ([04:29]). Amy becomes Caitlin’s sole support, guiding her through prolonged contractions and the emotional turmoil of birthing a stillborn child, whom Caitlin names Eden ([05:50]).

Red Flags Emerge

Despite the emotional weight of the situation, subtle inconsistencies begin to surface. Amy notes Caitlin’s unusual behavior and decisions, such as her hesitance to call an ambulance without providing her address ([12:29]). As Caitlin’s condition deteriorates, requiring multiple emergency hospital transfers and facing severe medical complications, Amy and Katie’s concern grows.

Key moments include:

• Unusual Medical Responses: Caitlin is sent home from the hospital despite being in active labor and later faces escalating health crises, including the need for a hysterectomy and a diagnosis of stage four pelvic cancer ([15:53], [28:42]).
• Suspicious Actions: Caitlin’s reluctance to wear a hospital gown, reliance on a pink sticky note for contact information, and the presence of a dog in an ICU setting ([35:16]) raise doubts about her authenticity.

Amy Perry expresses growing unease:

"Something felt off about that. I had a moment where I stopped before I went in and I thought, I'm about to be kidnapped." ([37:30])

Unraveling the Con

As Amy and Katie investigate further, they uncover alarming evidence:

• Reverse Image Searches: Katie discovers that photos Caitlin provided, including images of a stillborn baby and a tumor, are generic stock images found easily online, indicating deception ([36:22]).
• Lack of Public Records: The absence of any news coverage about Caitlin’s alleged assault and subsequent medical emergencies raises significant suspicion ([35:42]).

The realization dawns that Caitlin Braun is not the woman she claimed to be but a master manipulator orchestrating a massive scam. This revelation is punctuated by eerie coincidences and uncovered fabrications, leading Amy to question the very foundation of her involvement.

The Revelation and Aftermath

The true extent of Caitlin’s con unfolds as Amy and Katie connect the dots, revealing a $6 billion gold scam orchestrated through fraudulent medical emergencies and the exploitation of doulas’ trust and compassion. This scam not only defrauded individuals financially but also emotionally drained those who believed they were providing essential support.

Key conclusions include:

• Massive Financial Fraud: The con involved selling worthless gold stocks, resulting in devastating financial losses for investors across the nation ([23:26]).
• Lack of Immediate Justice: Despite the scale of the fraud, no perpetrators have been brought to justice to date, highlighting gaps in the investigative process ([23:30]).

Amy Perry reflects on the emotional toll:

"At this point, more than anything, I am exhausted. I am completely emotionally checked out. I am no longer taking care of myself." ([24:21])

Conclusion

"The Con: Kaitlyn’s Baby" serves as a chilling reminder of how profound deceit can infiltrate even the most compassionate professions. Through meticulous investigation and personal testimonies, Uncover reveals the multifaceted nature of Caitlin Braun’s scam, emphasizing the vulnerabilities within support systems and the dire consequences of misplaced trust.

Sarah Trelevin wraps up the episode by highlighting the ongoing quest for justice and the enduring impact on those who were deceived:

"This is one of the most complex stories I've ever covered. A story that has puzzled psychiatrists and legal systems...who took so much from people, whose job is to give the people you will hear from never want any of this to happen again." ([06:54])

The podcast invites listeners to reflect on the intricate dynamics of trust, deception, and the pursuit of truth within the realm of true crime.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Amy Perry on Doula Work:

  "I've grown up taking care of people and this is very natural for me." ([02:37])

• Amy Expressing Concern Over Caitlin’s Actions:

  "I am losing it at this point. Like, contractions are strong... I am picturing her having a stillborn baby in the doorway of her house when an Uber driver pulls up and I, I'm losing it." ([12:35])

• Amy Realizing Something is Wrong:

  "I can’t believe this is happening." ([32:58])

• Katie on Suspicious Behavior:

  "Something felt off about that. I had a moment where I stopped before I went in and I thought, I'm about to be kidnapped." ([37:30])

• Amy on Emotional Exhaustion:

  "At this point, more than anything, I am exhausted. I am completely emotionally checked out. I am no longer taking care of myself." ([24:21])

Takeaways

• Vulnerability of Support Roles: The episode underscores how roles rooted in trust, such as doulas, can be exploited by skilled con artists.
• Detection of Deception: It highlights the importance of vigilance and skepticism, even in emotionally charged situations.
• Impact of Scam Operations: The vast financial and emotional repercussions of large-scale scams are far-reaching, affecting not just the victims but also those who inadvertently become entangled in the deceit.

Further Listening

All episodes of "The Con: Kaitlyn’s Baby" are available now on Uncover and can be accessed wherever you listen to podcasts. For early access and ad-free listening, visit apple.co/cbctruecrime.

Produced by:
Sarah Trelevin, Kathleen Goldhar, Andrew Friesen, Alexis Green
Sound Design by Mitchell Stewart
Digital Coordination by Emily Quinnell
Senior Production and Executive Oversight by Veronica Simmons, Cecil Fernandez, and Chris Oak.

Disclaimer: This summary is based on the transcript provided and aims to encapsulate the key elements of the podcast episode "The Con: Kaitlyn’s Baby." For a comprehensive understanding, listening to the full episode is recommended.