My daughter was stolen from hospital at 3 days old – it took 17 years to find her but my nightmare had just begun | The Sun
GAZING at her newborn daughter, young mum Celeste Nurse felt a rush of love and thought excitedly of the beautiful nursery she’d decorated for her new arrival.
But two days later, on April 30 1997, her world fell apart when a woman posing as a nurse picked up baby Zephany and calmly walked out of the Cape Town hospital as Celeste slept.
Despite frantic searches and a nationwide police hunt, it would be 17 years before she would see Zephany again – when a bizarre twist of fate brought them together.
Tragically, the joyful reunion led to more heartache for Celeste and husband Morné, as Zephany – now known as Miché – took the side of kidnapper Lavona Solomon, who had raised her as her own and was jailed for ten years over the crime.
Now, in an emotional interview ahead of the documentary Girl Taken, on Channel 5 tonight, mum-of-four Celeste opens up about the heartbreak of losing her first-born child not once but twice.
“When she was taken from hospital, it felt like somebody had ripped the heart out of my chest,” she says.
REAL LIFE STORIES
I was horrified after waking up to stranger in hotel…my nightmare had just begun
I snared my rapist with bold plan after he tried to cover up sick crimes
“The saddest part was when I arrived home and saw the cot standing empty, the bottles unfilled, the toys and the nappy bag. I collapsed on the floor and just broke down.
“I was supposed to come home with my baby and the baby wasn't there.
“Even talking about it today, I get a feeling of fear, heartache, sadness and a sick feeling in my stomach.”
Although they never gave up hope, the tragic loss also caused the couple’s marriage to break down.
Most read in The Sun
DESPERATE SEARCH
Massive emergency response seen 5 miles from where mum-of-two disappeared
RIVER RIDDLE
Cops seen near where Nicola disappeared as dive leader says phone may be decoy
LAST SIGHTING
New photo of mum & dog from day she vanished is released as cops give update
WHERE IS SHE?
Phone found in missing Nicola Bulley case could be a DECOY, fears dive leader
Vulnerable women and children are being trafficked to the UK to shoplift for Eastern European gangs, retail experts warn Retail...
We and our partners use cookies on this site to improve our service, perform analytics, personalize advertising, measure advertising performance, and remember website preferences.Ok