Vietnamese babies returned to parents 3 years after switched at birth

The two mothers in Binh Phuoc Province with their biological daughters in a photo taken on July 25, 2016. Photo: Tieu Thien

Two girls accidentally switched at birth three years ago were returned to their parents in the southern province of Binh Phuoc on Monday. The hospital responsible for the mistake now faces possibilities of a lawsuit. 

Local authorities have pledged to help both families change relevant identity papers for their children. 

Vu Dinh Khien said he had been waiting to get his daughter back, but added that he would continue to support the other child. 

Hoang Van Thanh, director of Binh Long Town General Hospital, have apologized to the two families.

The mistake caused serious consequences and the hospital would offer each family VND20 million (US$890) and cover fees for previous DNA tests, he said. 

Both families have rejected the offer, without specifying their demand. 

The other father, Hoang Van Tuan, said the meager amount is insufficient for the damage caused to both families in the past years. 

“I will file a lawsuit against the hospital,” he said.

On January 10, 2013, Khien’s wife, Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, and Tuan’s wife, Thi Lien, gave birth to two baby girls at the hospital.

Both weighed three kilograms and were mistakenly handed to the wrong mother.

In May, 2016, Trang’s father visited a nearby village and saw a baby who looks exactly like his daughter.

Both families then filed complaints to the hospital after learning the truth.

Khien admitted that he had doubted his wife’s faithfulness over the past years because the baby girl that they came home with has no resemblance to his family.