Court to make final call in baby swap case

16 November 2015 - 18:49 By Roxanne Henderson

Three judges of the Pretoria High Court started hearing final arguments on Monday before they decide on the future of two toddlers who were swapped at birth. The five-year-old boy and girl could either be returned to their biological parents or remain with the parents who raised them and whom they have bonded with.They were swapped at a hospital on the East Rand in 2010 and the error was discovered nearly three years later when one father asked for a paternity test when the child's mother claimed maintenance from him. The results revealed that neither of them were the biological parents of the little boy they thought was theirs.Professor Ann Skelton of the Centre for Child Law at the University of Pretoria was appointed by the court to investigate and make recommendations on the outcome that would be in the best interests of the children.Skelton argued that the court should enable the children's "psychological parents" - those who have raised them thus far - to adopt the children without having to go through usual adoption processes.She also recommended that the children‚ a boy and a girl‚ should be allowed to continue supervised visits with their biological parents.Three of the four parents agree with Skelton's recommendations. The father who uncovered the swap said that he wants his daughter returned to him but he will abide by the court's decision.This dad commissioned a psychologist to evaluate the situation and the psychologist's report agreed with Skelton's recommendations. A cultural impact report commissioned by the man was also done‚ but he chose not to rely on it in court.Judges Aubrey Ledwaba‚ Peter Mabuse and Nicolene Janse van Nieuwenhuizen have the task to decide the fate of the toddlers and their families...

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