Two Men Discover They Were Switched at Birth in North Dakota Hospital 36 Years Ago

Two American families are suing a North Carolina hospital after discovering that their sons were switched at birth more than 36 years ago. Kyle Baylin and Jeremy Morrison were the only two babies born on January 26, 1988, at Unity Medical Center in Grafton, North Dakota. DNA testing conducted by Morrison two years ago revealed that he was raised by the wrong parents. Morrison, who lives in Colorado, said he always felt different from his family and noticed no one resembled him. His aunt provided DNA that identified Baylin as her nephew, confirming the mix-up.

Both sets of parents have since met their biological sons, but the two men have not yet met each other. The defendant in the lawsuit is Christian Unity Hospital Corporation, which operates the medical center. The hospital denies the allegations, requesting the court dismiss the case, arguing that staff acted with appropriate care and skill. They also claim the lawsuit may be barred due to the time elapsed since the incident.

The plaintiffs are seeking over $50,000 in damages and have requested a jury trial. The hospital also demands a jury trial and suggests that if any harm occurred, it might be attributable to parties other than the hospital. The hospital acknowledged the profound impact of the discovery on the men and their families but noted that medical records and staff from that time are no longer available, making it difficult to clarify the situation. They stated they found no evidence supporting claims of hospital responsibility for the switch.