Attorney General Michelle Henry is taking legal action against Liberty Doulas, a Philadelphia-area company accused of not providing contracted doula services to new parents. According to a Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General press release, the business, which operates under Doulas of the Philadelphia Area LLC and is owned by Sierra Mahoney, reportedly took over $55,000 in prepayments for services that were never rendered.
These services were meant to support parents before, during, and after childbirth—crucial times when professional care is often needed the most. Mahoney's doula certification was revoked on October 25. It has also come to light that some of the doulas employed might not have been certified.
"This business promised care after the birth of these children and literally did not deliver," Attorney General Henry said. "This business owner valued dollars over customer care, and put parents and children at risk by knowingly providing non-certified doulas, or not providing paid-for services at all." The claims include instances where Mahoney encouraged consumers to pre-pay, knowing she would be unable to provide those services due to her planned move to another state, a statement obtained by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
Further allegations indicate that Liberty Doulas, which is now dissolving, continued its questionable practices by collecting payments through Mahoney's husband's personal Venmo account, again with the knowledge those services would not be fulfilled. Employees were also reportedly affected, having been asked to mislead consumers by claiming illness instead of disclosing the truth about the company's inability to provide the pre-paid services.
The legal complaint is seeking full restitution for all impacted consumers and civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. It also aims to permanently bar Sierra Mahoney from providing, advertising, or selling doula services in the state of Pennsylvania. An emergency injunction has also been filed, and a hearing is scheduled for Thursday in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas to address these urgent matters.
