Case against alleged baby snatcher postponed
Updated | By Olivia Phalaetsile
The 50-year-old Lavender Hill woman made a brief appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning on charges of kidnapping and fraud.
The case was postponed to Friday July 24 for further investigation.
The accused, who may not be named as it may lead to the teenager being identified, was released on R5 000 bail in March.
Outside the court, the child’s biological relatives mulled around until the accused, covered in a jacket and accompanied by an unknown man, exited the court.
“It’s too late to run and hide now,” a woman shouted as the accused ran to a car parked nearby.
The baby girl was kidnapped from hospital in 1997.
Discovered
The teen’s identity was discovered when her biological sister, who is four years younger, told her parents that a matric girl at her school bore a striking resemblance to her and her father, City Press previously reported.
When they discovered the girl had the same birthday as their missing child, the parents reported it to the police.
DNA tests have since confirmed the teen is indeed their daughter.
The child’s paternal grandmother told reporters the abduction had had a drastic effect on the family, especially the child’s biological mother.
“[The child] is very confused. To her, [finding out the people who raised her were not her parents] was a big shock,” she said.
The child’s ordeal, the grandmother explained, was still fresh.
“Our shock we could work through for 17 years and 10 months.
“[The child] grew up in a lie. We feel nothing for this woman. Nothing.”
Author: News24
NewsWire ID: 4456
File photo: Gallo images
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