A Florida midwife is facing major allegations after state officials say a home birth went horribly wrong — leaving a baby with permanent injuries.
According to a newly filed complaint, midwife Sizzly Maria Auer is accused of using excessive force and failing to follow basic safety procedures during a 2021 delivery.
The case centers around a birth that quickly turned into a medical emergency known as shoulder dystocia, where a baby’s shoulders become stuck during delivery — a situation that requires precise and careful handling.
But investigators say that didn’t happen.
Instead of using standard techniques to safely deliver the baby, the complaint alleges Auer repeatedly pulled on the infant’s head and neck with extreme force in an attempt to complete the birth.
Officials say the pulling was aggressive and continuous.
The situation may have worsened when Auer allegedly instructed the mother to keep pushing — something experts warn can increase the risk of injury during this type of emergency.
The birth took place in a pool, and investigators also claim that after the baby’s head emerged and he gasped for air, he was allowed to slip back underwater — a dangerous moment that could lead to serious complications.
Eventually, the delivery was completed outside the pool, but the damage had already been done.
According to the state, the child suffered severe nerve damage known as brachial plexus palsy — a condition that affects movement and function in the arm. Doctors later found multiple ruptured and torn nerves, one of the most serious types of birth injuries.
Despite surgeries and ongoing treatment, the child is expected to have permanent limitations for life.
The complaint also accuses the midwife of failing to properly document the birth, not completing required consent forms, and not having an emergency care plan in place.
In addition, officials say she may have misrepresented her licensing status for years, allowing her to avoid carrying required liability insurance while still performing births.
The state is now seeking disciplinary action, which could include losing her license.
Adding to the controversy, the family previously won a $12 million judgment against the midwife — but say they’ve been unable to collect because she allegedly didn’t have insurance.
The midwife has the right to fight the allegations, but the case is already drawing attention as a deeply troubling example of what can go wrong when safety protocols aren’t followed.