Judge charges murder against Michigan midwife in connection with death of Price County baby

PHILLIPS, Wis. (WSAW) – A Michigan midwife faces a second-degree manslaughter charge in the 2023 death of Price County baby Marien Jo Schmidt.

Oneida County District Court Judge Mary Sowinski held a John Doe trial in November to review evidence in the case against midwife Sandra Pera after the Price County district attorney decided not to prosecute.

Marien’s parents, Alex and Josie Schmidt, told 7 Investigates in November that they expressed to the judge that they recognized that they might not get what they wanted from a criminal trial, but that they had the opportunity to let the criminal proceedings go through.

On December 3, Judge Sowinski ruled that there was enough evidence to suspect a crime and charged Pera.

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

The criminal complaint alleges, among other things, that Pera failed to develop and provide an emergency transport plan, that she had inadequate equipment to perform the duties of a licensed midwife and that there was no medical reason for the death other than an unnecessarily prolonged delivery gave.

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services previously allowed Pera to surrender her midwifery license, avoiding a hearing before an administrative law judge, after DSPS investigated two separate complaints against her.

Judge Sowinski assigned a special prosecutor from Marathon County to take over the case.

The Price County judge currently handling the case requested reassignment because he was in the DA’s office when the DA decided not to prosecute.

Pera faces up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

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