Carlie Copal, known locally as Moira, is a Birth Advocate, Death Doula, and a Homeschool Consultant in Central VA. After a tragic pre-labor fetal demise the Commonwealth Attorney charged a Class 1 Misdemeanor of Practicing Without a License. The CA would not consider house arrest , community service or anything other than jail time separating her from her husband and  3 children ages 12, 7 & 6. Carlie chose not to fight the charge and take the plea deal of 1 year sentence and she would serve 6 months of that. At the last minute the CA added Restitution of $13,690.67 to the sentence and, unfortunately, the judge agreed to the terms. 

If we don’t pay this by the end of her sentence she will be charged with Contempt of Court which will mean more fines and more time in jail and more time away from her family. 

This case is about more than one person - it affects every birth worker and birthing family in Virginia and throughout the US. The criminalization of traditional birth support threatens community knowledge, bodily autonomy, and the right of families to choose how and where they give birth.

Let’s stand together to support Moira and protect the freedom of birthing families across Virginia.