Swopped babies to meet kin

THE TWO children who were swopped at birth at a hospital in Boksburg were slowly being introduced to their biological families, a child law expert said yesterday.

The children, both aged 4, and their parents were receiving counselling.

“Any possibility of contact by the parents with their biological children will be managed by the team at the child, adolescent and family unit,” said Ann Skelton, director of the Centre for Child Law at the University of Pretoria.

The mothers were being introduced to their children, and the children to each other.

“The mothers and children are undergoing a treatment plan by the child, adolescent and family unit at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital,” said Skelton.

The high court in Pretoria appointed her to investigate and make recommendations.

Her comments stem from a report that she compiled and handed to the court.

A team of experts, headed by a psychologist, were also working with the families involved.

A boy and girl were swopped at birth at Tambo Memorial Hospital in Boksburg on August 2, 2010.

The parents have since agreed to keep the child they had each raised.

They found out their babies had been swopped only after one of the fathers demanded a paternity test.

According to Skelton’s report, the midwife allegedly swopped the name tags and files of the children by accident when they were born. – Sapa