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South Africa: 'Baby thief' suspect cries in court

South Africa: 'Baby thief' suspect cries in court

South Africa

A woman standing trial for kidnapping a baby in Cape Town burst into tears when she reappeared in court on Monday.

The woman whose name has been withheld for legal reasons, explained that she has not been able to meet the “kidnapped” child Zephany, since February last year.

Her emotions attracted comments from the Morne family who claim to be the biological parents of the victim.

“She feels same as we have been feeling for 18 years now,” Morne Nurse who claims to be the biological father told reporters.

Celeste Nurse who claims to be the biological mother narrated how her baby disappeared mysteriously three days after birth.

“I saw a person sitting at the door dressed as a nurse. She asked me ‘can I pick up the child?’ I said ‘yes’. That’s all I can remember until a nurse woke me and asked where the baby was,” Mrs Nurse said.

“I asked what do you mean, the nurse was just here with the baby. We ran everywhere in the hospital. The baby was nowhere to be found. Missing. Gone,” she added.

The accused said she decided to adopt a baby after experiencing miscarriage.

She added that she was later handed over a three-day-old baby in April 1997 wrapped in a blanket. It is believed this baby was Zephany who was kidnapped a few hours earlier.

The two families live just a stone-throw away from each other.

The baby was recognised after high school students noticed a resemblance between Zephany and a younger student.

Celeste and Morne Nurse who claim to be the biological parents alerted police and DNA tests were conducted before the matter was taken to court.

Zephany has been at an unknown location for a year now after requesting judicial protection.

The accused will be grilled by the prosecutor next Monday. She risks being sentenced to 5 years in jail if found guilty.

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