Spring Valley
A Spring Valley woman who was convicted of practicing medicine without a license in the death of an infant she delivered as a midwife was sentenced Wednesday to one year in jail.
In December, Rosanna Walker, 35, was found in violation of her probation, which was granted Feb. 17, 1984, by not contacting her probation officer and failing to pay $1,700 in restitution to the mother of the dead infant.
“This woman is no different than a drunk driver who kills someone,” said San Diego Superior Court Judge Kenneth Johns, who described Walker as “totally unskilled” in delivering babies.
Walker was charged with involuntary manslaughter stemming from the March 19, 1982, death of Devin Deutsch, whose birth was filmed and later used as evidence against Walker.
The mother, Reena Deutsch, urged Johns to impose the jail sentence, telling him she felt rage over the death of her son. She said Walker misrepresented her training and qualifications after a health care center referred Walker to her.
Walker’s attorney, Charles Bumer, presented testimony that Walker was depressed and didn’t contact her probation officer because of the painful memories it evoked.
The judge gave Walker one week to report to jail. Walker is divorced and has three children.
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