N4T Investigators: State settles lawsuit with midwife caught practicing without license following death of a mother and baby | News

SAFFORD, Ariz. (KVOA) – It’s another surprising turn of events in what has been a tale of tragedy, raising questions about the regulations and safety measures in place for Arizona’s midwife industry.

Sarah Kankiewicz, a now formerly licensed midwife based in Phoenix, has been ordered by a judge to not practice midwifery for at least 20 years. That’s only a five year increase to the 15 year ban she accepted when she gave up her license in June.

The latest decision was reached in a settlement agreement last week to resolve claims brought against her in a civil lawsuit from the Attorney General’s Office.

The State sued her earlier this month after it accused her of practicing midwifery without a license, which it stated in court documents was a class 6 felony.

Kankiewicz was without her license because she agreed to give it up in June, after the Arizona Department of Health Services started investigating her and intended to revoke her license following repeated violations.

She fell under the microscope after a mother and baby died during childbirth in December.

Jordan Terry and her baby Mack died under the care of Kankiewicz, the State determined there were several violations and mishaps during the at home birth in Safford.

Jordan’s widower Parker has seen his whole family turned upside down and has been demanding accountability.

“It’s feelings I navigate on a daily basis of anger, of sadness, of depression,” he told the N4T Investigators in July.

Parker during our July interview expressed concerns that Kankiewicz would simply continue practicing without a license.

His concerns were shared by Heather Flowers, who nearly died during an at home birth a couple years ago under the care of Kankiewicz.

“My main concern is she will continue to practice unlicensed,” she said in July.

The News 4 Tucson Investigators interviewed Flowers again after the settlement was reached last week. She feels it was hardly justice or accountability.

“It just feels like another slap in the face,” she said.

Parker told us he has been too distraught to keep doing interviews but sent us the following statement:

“I myself along with families, friends, and general public are extremely disappointed with the outcome of the hearing. Sarah has a heavy track record of citations and fines, as well as deaths. The ruling of just extending her license revocation 5 years simply does nothing in this case as she has already proved to practice as a midwife with the original 15 year ban. It’s common knowledge that she will continue to practice. 

 

This is a class 6 felony. Where is the justice? We are hoping the state pursues criminal charges against this person that has proved over the years to be a danger to mothers and babies in a birth space. Sarah is making a mockery of the great state of Arizona. Do your job and protect these mothers, babies, and families!”

Parker and Flowers want to see more regulations over midwifes and stronger punishments for those caught practicing without licenses.  

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