77-year-old Gloria Lemay is facing a manslaughter charge after a newborn infant died on Jan. 6, 2024, after an unresponsive baby was delivered inside a Ladysmith home on Dec. 27, 2023. (Submitted)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

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Woman charged following death of infant in Ladysmith

Jan 7, 2025 | 12:32 PM

Editor’s note: updated court records on Wednesday, Jan 8 stated Gloria Lemay was in custody. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 9.

LADYSMITH — A woman accused of mishandling the birth of a baby in Ladysmith has been charged with manslaughter.

A Ladysmith RCMP news release states Gloria Lemay, 77, was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 7, the same day a warrant for her arrest was issued.

“On December 27, 2023, an unresponsive baby was delivered at a private residence in Ladysmith. Despite life-saving efforts from BC Emergency Health Services (BC EHS) and subsequent palliative care, the infant died on January 6, 2024,” the release stated.

Ladysmith RCMP added a complex police investigation was taken over by the Vancouver Island District General Investigation Section, which also included the Ministry of Children and Family Development, BC College of Nurses and Midwives and BC Coroners Service.

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Investigators believe Lemay’s involvement in the birth process led to the child’s injuries and eventual death.

Court records show Gloria Jeanne Lemay is currently not in custody, and that the next available court appearance has not yet been scheduled.

A Jan 31. 2024 notice from the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) stated they received reports of Lemay portraying herself as a birth attendant in the province, and “may be offering midwifery services and performing restricted activities as set out in the Midwives Regulation, without being permitted to do so.”

The bulletin stated Lemay, of Duncan, is the subject of a permanent court order in B.C., granted on Feb. 2, 2000, prohibiting her from performing midwife services, using the title “Midwife”, receiving money for services, or implying she is associated with the former College of Midwives of British Columbia, now known as the BCCNM.

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