Abducted at Birth

How would you feel if someone told you your life was a lie? Well, a South African 17 year-old knows all about this grand turn of events. Within the past month, she learned that her mother actually kidnapped her from a hospital right after she was born.

The girl first had suspicions of her origin when the daughter of her biological parents enrolled in the school she attends. The second daughter, who was born four years after the kidnapping, started eighth grade at the school this year. Students kept telling her how similar they looked. Eventually, the girls became friends. One day, the second daughter introduced her parents to her new friend. Taken aback by the striking resemblance between the two, the parents contacted the authorities for a DNA test.

When the results came back as a match, the police arrested the woman posing as the 17 year-old’s mother.The 50-year-old woman accused of kidnapping her was freed on bail Friday after the government agreed she's not a flight risk. The suspect is not allowed to contact potential witnesses, including the teen.

When asked about how she would feel having a total turn around like this occur in her life, senior Anna Schweppe said, “I would cry and probably yell at her.” Bryana Salaz said that it would take her a while to process the information and take her a while to adjust.

Naturally, the stolen daughter is having some trouble adjusting to her new life. After all, the life she knew for so long was taken away from her so quickly. However, the child released a statement saying, "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. Under the circumstances, I am doing fine." As of now, the teen is in the custody of social services. Her parents have been allowed to visit her for short periods. Hopefully, the girl can adjust to her life as soon as possible.