UPDATE: Moira is now serving 6 months in Charlotte County jail. Release date is July 18, 2026. She has been sentenced to pay $13,600+ in restitution by January 18, 2027. If that is not paid she will be held in Contempt of Court and remanded back to custody. Court date in Henrico County to prove payment is scheduled for January 25, 2027.
Support Moria - A Birth Advocate Facing Criminalization for Community Care
Carlie, known locally as Moira, is a birth advocate, death doula, and homeschool consultant in central Virginia. Following a tragic stillbirth, the Commonwealth of Virginia has charged her with Practicing Midwifery Without a License — a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500 fine.
Update: The Commonwealth’s Attorney only offered jail time and after much contemplation Moira agreed to the plea offer knowing that a trial would take years and cost 💲 that would further stress herself, her family and her community. Being separated from her husband and her three children (ages 12, 7, and 6) for six months is cruel punishment that we all know she, nor any birth worker, deserves.
Funds raised through this fundraiser is for Moira’s commissary needs which are imperative. She is a Type 2 diabetic and the county is not making adequate adjustments to her meals to accommodate keeping her healthy. In addition, funds here will go toward her being able to talk with her family and hearing her children’s voices and them hers.
This case is about more than one person — it affects every birth worker and birthing family in Virginia. The criminalization of traditional birth support threatens community knowledge, bodily autonomy, and the right of families to choose how and where they give birth.
Birth work is not a crime.
Community care is not a crime.
Let’s stand together to support Moira and protect the freedom of birthing families across Virginia.
