A South African woman is free on bail after she allegedly stole a newborn girl 17 years ago — and raised her as her own.
The defendant, 50, was released on a U.S. $500 bail Friday after the state agreed she’s not a flight risk.
As part of her bail conditions, she’s not allowed to contact potential witnesses, including the now teenage girl she has raised for years.
The case of teenager Zephany Nurse has captivated the nation, with throngs attending Friday’s hearing. The courtroom in Cape Town was so crowded, her biological parents had nowhere to sit.
Nurse was allegedly kidnapped at birth and found after an improbable coincidence.
South African Police said the woman, who was arrested last week, has been charged with kidnapping and falsely pretending to be the girl’s biological mother.
Close resemblance
Zephany Nurse was seized from a Cape Town hospital in 1997, and is now in her final year of school.
She crossed paths with her biological parents, Celeste and Morne Nurse, who had unknowingly enrolled their second daughter at the same school in Cape Town.
Fellow students told their younger daughter that someone at the school bears a striking resemblance to her, according to the South African Press Association, an independent news agency.
The second daughter, who was born four years after the kidnapping, started eighth grade at the school this year, the news agency reported.
After other students told her a girl in her final year of school resembled her, she befriended her, the news agency reported.
Eventually, Morne Nurse met their daughter’s new friend, and was so taken by the similarities, they contacted authorities.
After a DNA test, police arrested the woman.
‘Under the circumstances, I am doing fine’
The teen is in the custody of social services. Her parents have been allowed to visit her for short periods, the news agency reported.
She released a statement, via the Centre for Child Law, which is representing her.
“I want to say thank you to all the people who supported me through this, for continuously praying and never giving up on looking for me,” Zephany Nurse said.
“Under the circumstances, I am doing fine.”
Her father said she’s not having the easiest time.
“She’s broken and we’ll fix it,” Morne Nurse said Friday, which also happens to be his birthday.
The suspect returns to court on May 29.
