Michigan midwife accused in baby’s death charged with reckless homicide

PHILLIPS, Wis. (WSAW) - An Upper Michigan midwife accused of causing the death of a baby during delivery three years ago is now charged with reckless homicide.

Sandra Pera, 65, made an initial appearance in Price County Court Tuesday morning. Pera is charged with second-degree reckless homicide of an unborn child. During Tuesday’s hearing, a judge set a $50,000 signature bond. A condition of the bond states Pera cannot practice midwifery or provide any labor or delivery service in the state of Wisconsin while the case is pending.

The charge stems from the Feb. 27, 2023 death of newborn Marien Jo Schmidt during a delivery overseen by Pera. Following a lengthy investigation by the Price County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation, the Price County district attorney declined to prosecute.

Seeking answers, the baby’s family filed a John Doe request in 2024 to have a judge review the case. Despite the district attorney declining to prosecute a second time that June, a new judge initiated a John Doe proceeding and ultimately filed the homicide charge in December 2024.

In the criminal complaint, the judge listed Pera’s alleged actions and cited other witnesses, midwives, and medical experts who expressed there was negligence in the care Pera provided.

The criminal complaint specifically states Pera failed to develop and provide an emergency transport plan, had inadequate equipment to perform licensed midwife responsibilities, and there was no medical reason for the death other than unnecessarily prolonged delivery, among several other points of evidence.

Scheduling the initial appearance proved challenging, as the judge required the hearing to take place physically in Price County. Additionally, negotiations for a potential plea deal between prosecutors and Pera’s attorney ultimately fell through.

Pera’s next court activity is scheduled for September 29.

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