Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Cushworth and Casanellas are reunited with their son.
Switched at birth

British man's son returned after being 'switched at birth and sold'

“We have our grandson – and he looks like his father.”

A BRITISH FATHER who claimed that his baby had been swapped at birth and sold to traffickers in El Salvador has been reunited with his son.

Missionary Richard Cushworth and his Salvadorian wife Mercedes Casanellas had made a plea for their baby’s return, claiming the child they had been caring for was not theirs.

Local investigators tracked down their son by ordering other new mothers to take DNA tests.

Cushworth’s father David told the Daily Mail:

“We have our grandson – and he looks like his father.”

He said the family had been made to sign a gagging order. Cushworth and Casanellas had travelled from their home in the US so that Casanellas could give birth in her native country.

The couple only found out that the child they had been raising for weeks wasn’t theirs last Monday. Their consultant obstetrician was arrested last week.

Cushworth suspects that the child was taken because his light skin could be valuable on the human trafficking black market.

The couple had taken a DNA test which showed there was a zero percent chance that they were the parents of the boy they had been raising. They travelled to El Salvador and confronted their doctor, prompting a state investigation.

Speaking to Salvadorian TV, Casanellas described the couple’s relief.

“Our hearts are for our son.

“We are happy with the support we received from the Salvadoran people.”

Read: Crèche workers charged with sharing baby “Fight Club” video on Snapchat

Read: New parent struggling to keep your relationship alive? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one

Your Voice
Readers Comments
24
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.