Midwife charged with child abuse

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A midwife faced a judge on child abuse charges in Albuquerque Saturday after both mother and baby showed up to the hospital days after the delivery with major problems.

However, the woman's attorney says this could happen with any home birth.

Jessica Weed faced a judge Saturday on charges of child abuse and intimidation of a witness.

According to a criminal complaint, six days after Weed helped deliver a friend's baby, the infant and mother were admitted into UNM Hospital.

Doctors say the baby had bleeding in the brain and retinas, and the mom still had not delivered the placenta which caused an infection.

The complaint says Weed asked the mother to write a letter and tell hospital officials she did not help with the delivery.

The mother finally told hospital workers the truth.

Saturday the midwife's attorney tried to convince a judge that her clients alleged actions were questionable, but not criminal.

“You didn't read something that was pleasant, you didn't read something that said hey I’m going to hire this person…and that's a good day at work but you just read what could be a great civil case,” the midwife’s attorney said.

The attorney argued the baby's injuries can happen during any birth.

“But abuse of a child did you read anything in here that the child was harmed,” the attorney said.

The attorney is also said asking someone to write a letter doesn't fit the statute of intimidation.

The judge agreed dropping the intimidation charge but said he found probable cause for child abuse charges.

Weed's bond was set at $5,000-cash or surety.

If she gets out of jail, Weed cannot be a practicing midwife while the case is pending.

The complaint says the baby was breech.

Hospital officials have not said what they believe to be the cause of the newborn's injuries.

According to the criminal complaint, Weed is a licensed midwife