Lavona Solomon, a South African woman, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for kidnapping a three-day-old baby from Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town in 1997. The girl, named Zephany Nurse, grew up believing Lavona and her husband Michael were her biological parents. Despite the revelation of her true identity, Zephany expressed love for Lavona, feeling grateful for her upbringing.
Zephany’s biological parents, Celeste and Morne Nurse, longed to reunite with their daughter, whom they found 17 years after her abduction. The truth came to light when Morne and Celeste’s second daughter, Cassidy, noticed the striking resemblance between herself and Zephany at school.
Their suspicions grew after the girls became friends and joked about being sisters. A DNA test confirmed that Zephany and Miché, as Lavona named her, were the same person. Lavona was arrested, while Michael, who was misled about her true origins, was released.
Reuniting with her biological parents was complex for Zephany, who initially felt no bond with them but eventually accepted them. She still regards Michael as her father and was saddened by Lavona’s imprisonment.
In the documentary Girl, Taken, Morne described meeting Zephany after 17 years as a profound experience. Today, Zephany is a mother, and Morne believes their relationship is improving, though it will take time to fully heal.
