News: Couple told they can keep unrelated Nigerian baby
In a case described by the judge as “extraordinary, bizarre and worrying”, a couple have been told they can keep a baby born in Nigeria even though test have revealed that they are not her biological parents.
According to a BBC report, Mr Justice Coleridge said they had fallen victim to “an appalling scam”.
The unnamed couple from London had become “desperate and distressed” after unsuccessful fertility treatment, and had flown to the west African nation for treatment at a private clinic.
When the woman later returned to the clinic some time later, she had, she told the court, been sedated and then handed a baby when she awoke.
However when the couple returned to London, their GP had voiced concerns about the girl and she was taken into and given a DNA test. The couple then launched legal proceedings in an attempt to regain custody of the child.
The local authority had earlier argued that the couple were willing participants in a “charade” but Mr Justice Coleridge rejected this argument, describing the couple as “people of the highest calibre and complete integrity”.
Photo of Lagos, Nigeria by Jrobin08 via Wikipedia under a Creative Commons licence
|
Share this post
|
Get free family law updates
|
Marilyn Stowe’s new book: expert advice on all aspects of divorce, for just 99p!
Divorce & Splitting Up by Marilyn Stowe is the essential how-to book for anyone who is getting divorced or splitting up from a partner. Read more >>
"A must buy that really opens your eyes to what is involved if you are considering or going through a divorce." - Amanda Brown
"This will answer your questions in a way that non-lawyers can understand." - Miss P.
"This really has helped me to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel and I will come out of it a stronger person." - J
Awards
IAML
