Child found 18 years after hospital kidnapping

  • 11/03/2016
Child found 18 years after hospital kidnapping

A South African woman has been found guilty of kidnapping a three-day-old baby and raising her as her own daughter for almost 18 years.

Baby Zephany Nurse disappeared from a hospital in Cape Town in 1997 prompting a nationwide search, but she was only discovered years later thanks to an amazing coincidence.

The 51-year-old, who now faces up to a decade behind bars, was only arrested after suspicions were raised as to why a girl at Zephany's school looked so alike.

After DNA tests were conducted, it was concluded that they were biological sisters.

The kidnapped girl's parents, Celeste and Morne Nurse, named the girl Zephany at birth but the name she is known as has not been revealed in an attempt to protect her identity.

The now convicted kidnapper has been denied bail as she awaits sentencing, and has received name suppression.

Watch the video for the full ITV News report.