MOAB, Utah — A woman claiming to be a midwife has been charged in the death of a baby and the near-death of the mother.
Valerie El Halta, 71, of Eagle Mountain is charged with unlawful conduct, negligent homicide and reckless endangerment. Investigators said the woman misled the mother by claiming to be a licensed midwife when she wasn’t. The incident occurred in August of 2012.
Court documents allege that El Halta did a variety of things that led to the baby’s death and the near death of the mother, including giving the mother illegal prescription medications and performing medical procedures she was not licensed to do.
Officials said that because of El Halta’s age, she will not be arrested. She will be served with a summons to appear in court.
