Last week the story of Zephany Nurse was reported worldwide. It was a tale of love, loss and remarkable coincidence.
At just three days old the Nurse family’s first child, who they named Zephany, was taken from her mother’s arms while she slept at a hospital in Cape Town, South Africa in 19997. The Nurses were devastated and continued to celebrate the birthday of their lost daughter every year.
The girl’s aunt, Shantal Berry, described the devastation of the last 17 years to CapeTalk radio: “It felt empty, and we were always wondering. She was stolen but not forgotten.”
Unbeknownst to the family their daughter was being raised just a few miles away with a new name and a new family. It may have remained a tragic mystery forever had the Nurses’ second daughter, Cassidy, not joined the same school. she was told by the other students that there was a girl who looked just like her. The girl was Zephany. The two became close friends, not suspecting their true connection.
When Morne Nurse, Zephany’s real father saw her he knew at once and contacted police. DNA tests confirmed what he believed. His long-lost daughter was found.
The woman charged with stealing the baby has been granted bail by a South African court. Her identity must be concealed to protect the privacy of the young girl.
Zephany, who is just shy of her 18th birthday, was reportedly raised with love and kindness by the accused and her husband, who she believed to be her natural parents.
The accused suffered a series of miscarriages before stealing the baby. She now faces a minimum of five years imprisonment though prosecutors have indicated that consultation on both sides could lead to a plea bargain. The Nurse family say that their joy overwhelms any desire for revenge. Celeste Nurse told the Mail Online that “What she did was very wrong, they’ve been living a lie for the last 17 years, but I forgave her some time ago.”
It is clear that there are no winners in this tragic saga. Zephany is staying with a social worker while the fate of the woman she believed was her mother hangs in the balance.
The sister of the accused told the Cape Argus newspaper of their family’s devastation. “(Zephany) has been a part of our lives for ever. And now she’s just gone…”
The accused has been released on bail equivalent to less than €400 provided she doesn’t contact any state witnesses, this includes members of her own family.
Social worker and provincial Social Development director Leana Goosen spoke to the Cape Times on behalf of the young girl, “She hopes to be as normal as possible for the future, without parties fighting about her, and to give her the opportunity to have as many loved ones in her life, without her having to choose between people.”
Zephany’s biological parents have said there would be no pressure on the girl to live with them.
“I want what she wants – whatever she thinks is best for her will be fine by us,” Celeste Nurse has said.
