The families of two men who discovered through DNA tests that they were switched at birth 38 years ago are suing a North Dakota hospital, alleging it deprived them of the lives they were meant to lead. Kyle Bylin and Jeremy Morrison, born on Jan. 26, 1988, at Unity Medical Center in Grafton, North Dakota, were unknowingly sent home with the wrong parents.
Bylin discovered the truth after taking an at-home DNA test as a gift. The results led him to his biological aunt, whose nephew, Morrison, subsequently had his DNA tested. The results confirmed they were the two infants born that day at the hospital.
"That's when my mind was just completely blown," Bylin stated. "We could have never imagined that it was an actual birth switch that occurred." Morrison added that he was convinced after seeing a photo of Bylin's brother and recognizing a strong resemblance.
Unity Medical Center issued a statement acknowledging the profound impact of the discovery but maintaining that there is no evidence staff or administration were responsible for the error. The hospital noted that due to the passage of nearly four decades, relevant medical and staffing records no longer exist, and no employees from the delivery team remain with the hospital.
Despite the hospital's position, Bylin asserts he still possesses his original hospital bracelet, which misidentified him as Kyle Bylin. The lawsuit, filed in state court, claims negligence and medical malpractice, seeking compensation for emotional distress and the loss of their intended lives. The families have spent the past two years adjusting to new realities and attempting to build relationships.
Evelyn Newton, who raised Bylin, expressed her love for him but also a sense of loss. "I feel robbed of the life I should have had with my biological son. You can't go back and replace 35 years," she told The Associated Press. "First steps, driving a car, getting married — how do you make up for that?"
Morrison, however, stated that the discovery has not diminished his feelings for the parents he grew up with, Elizabeth O’Toole and Terry Morrison. He described his childhood as loved and stable, despite some challenging moments.
"I was loved. I played sports. I did well in school," Morrison said. "A DNA test is not going to take away 38 years of memories."
Both men have met their biological parents, describing the encounters as welcoming yet awkward. Bylin and Morrison have not yet met in person but have spoken by phone. Bylin noted the ongoing process of uniting as a group and navigating the social complexities of their situation.
Cases of infants being switched at birth, though rare, have become more discoverable due to advancements in at-home DNA testing. Previous instances include lawsuits filed in Norway and West Virginia, as well as discoveries in Pennsylvania and Canada, involving individuals switched at birth decades earlier.
Modern medical technology, particularly electronic health records, is credited with significantly reducing the likelihood of such mix-ups occurring today. Dr. Jonathan Marron, a pediatric oncologist and bioethics instructor, indicated that these systems act as a crucial safeguard. The lawsuit filed by Bylin and Morrison represents an effort to seek accountability and acknowledge the irreversible impact of the decades-old error.