Two midwives charged over baby's death during failed NSW homebirth
Consensus Summary
Two midwives, Jordan Michaela Holland and Oyebola Coxon, have been charged with manslaughter following the death of a baby boy during a failed homebirth in Wallsend, Newcastle, in October 2024. Police allege that both midwives ignored the motherâs requests to transfer to hospital despite complications during a two-day homebirth attempt. The baby was delivered by emergency caesarean at John Hunter Hospital on October 4, 2024, and died six days later. Both women were granted bail with strict conditions, including prohibitions on midwifery practice and contact with witnesses. Coxonâs committal hearing is set for April 15, 2026, while Hollandâs case remains pending. The investigation, led by Strike Force Girona, continues as both midwives await further legal proceedings.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Jordan Michaela Holland, 28, was charged with manslaughter on April 10, 2026, over a failed homebirth in Wallsend, Newcastle, on October 2, 2024
- Oyebola Coxon, 36, was previously charged with manslaughter and recklessly causing grievous bodily harm in August 2025
- The baby boy was delivered by emergency caesarean at John Hunter Hospital on October 4, 2024, and died on October 10, 2024
- Police allege the midwife ignored the motherâs requests to transfer to hospital despite complications during the two-day homebirth attempt
- Both midwives were granted bail but face strict conditions, including prohibitions on midwifery practice and contact with witnesses
- Coxonâs committal hearing is scheduled for April 15, 2026
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Holland was initially refused bail before appearing in court on April 10, 2026, and was released on strict conditions including weekly police reporting to Maitland Police Station
- Strike Force Girona was established to investigate the babyâs death
- Holland is banned from applying for a passport as part of her bail conditions
- The Guardian clarifies that a homebirth involves planned medical support by a midwife, unlike a free birth which has no professional oversight
- The Guardian notes that no pleas have yet been entered for either case
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC states Holland was 'refused bail before appearing in the bail court on Friday,' while the Guardian does not mention this refusal explicitly, only her eventual release on bail
- The ABC specifies Holland was 'released on strict conditions' after appearing in court, while the Guardian does not detail the bail refusal or conditions beyond the general prohibition on midwifery practice
Source Articles
Second midwife charged over baby's death following failed homebirth
Jordan Michaela Holland is the second midwife charged with manslaughter over the death of a baby after a failed homebirth in Newcastle....
Second midwife charged with manslaughter after failed NSW homebirth
Jordan Michaela Holland was arrested on Friday, following the arrest last year of Oyebola Coxon in relation to the death of a newborn in Newcastle in 2024 Follow our Australia news live blog for late...