Two women who were born within minutes of each other at the same hospital in Buenos Aires have recently discovered that they were mistakenly switched at birth over four decades ago. This revelation involves Paula and Gabriela, born on March 22, 1986, just 13 minutes apart at the Italian Hospital in Buenos Aires. While one of them was raised in Miami, pursuing a career as a lawyer and starting a family, the other grew up in the Morón district near Argentina’s capital city.
The mix-up came to light in 2024 when Paula, after a routine ancestry DNA test, found discrepancies in her presumed biological lineage. Her initial genetic test, meant to trace her family background, surprisingly indicated no biological connection to her supposed parents. Subsequent tests confirmed this lack of relation, leading her to question her upbringing. With no satisfactory answers from her family, legal intervention was sought, initiating an investigation in Argentina led by lawyer Ignacio Leguizamón Peña in the Buenos Aires civil court.
The inquiry began by accessing hospital records from March 22, 1986, at the Italian Hospital. Initially, no births were recorded for that day, as deliveries preceding a shift change were listed under the previous date. However, records from March 21 revealed eight births, with the seventh and eighth babies being born within minutes of each other and having similar birth weights.
Further investigation, guided by the lawyer’s intuition, focused on tracing the eighth baby born that day. Using birth certificates, Gabriela and her adoptive family were identified, leading to a comparison of family histories between the two women.
Eventually, DNA testing confirmed the swap, establishing a genetic match between Paula and Gabriela’s biological families. Subsequently, a meeting was arranged by the lawyer between both families, allowing Paula and Gabriela to meet their biological parents for the first time.
The emotional impact of the revelation was significant, with the lawyer noting how it profoundly altered the family dynamics after four decades. Both women, now adults with families of their own, have been deeply affected by the discovery, along with their children and extended relatives.
Legal actions have been initiated by the families to investigate the circumstances surrounding the switch, including allegations of identity suppression. The case has been elevated to the Comodoro Py federal courts, overseen by prosecutor Carlos Stornelli, who is exploring potential criminal implications, particularly concerning identity-related offenses.
A raid has already taken place at the Italian Hospital, with archival material seized for investigation, focusing on the neonatology team from 1986. Renowned lawyer Fernando Burlando has joined the legal team, emphasizing the complexity of the case and the need to hold accountable those responsible for the error or negligence.
