A Bakersfield woman faces several charges of operating as a midwife without a license.
Brenda Capps is charged with practicing medicine without consent, dispensing dangerous drugs without a license and making a false claim of payment for healthcare.
People from around the United States are showing their support of Capps through online groups and fundraisers. A Utah woman created a petition, with more than 2,000 signatures, asking the California Medical Board to drop the case.
Here in Bakersfield, only a few licensed midwives are in business.
Licensed midwife, LaMonica Bryant, said operating legally is necessary. "I think it's important to have a license so we have checks and balances. As healthcare professionals we need to have a standard of care and with that licensure it gives you that standard of care, what you're allowed to do, what your scope of practice is, whereas if you're practicing without a license, there are no checks and balances."
Capps' lawyer, David Faulkner, released a statement Tuesday saying, in part, Capps has been dedicated to helping expectant mothers give birth at home and she fully intends to fight the charges.
Brenda Capps is charged with practicing medicine without consent, dispensing dangerous drugs without a license and making a false claim of payment for healthcare.
People from around the United States are showing their support of Capps through online groups and fundraisers. A Utah woman created a petition, with more than 2,000 signatures, asking the California Medical Board to drop the case.
Here in Bakersfield, only a few licensed midwives are in business.
Licensed midwife, LaMonica Bryant, said operating legally is necessary. "I think it's important to have a license so we have checks and balances. As healthcare professionals we need to have a standard of care and with that licensure it gives you that standard of care, what you're allowed to do, what your scope of practice is, whereas if you're practicing without a license, there are no checks and balances."
Capps' lawyer, David Faulkner, released a statement Tuesday saying, in part, Capps has been dedicated to helping expectant mothers give birth at home and she fully intends to fight the charges.