Mother And Daughter Reunited 17 Years After Newborn Snatched From Hospital

Zephany Nurse from Cape Town, South Africa, was three days old when snatched from her sleeping mothers arms in April 1997.

The newborn’s devastated parents, Morné and Celeste Nurse, never lost hope of seeing their first-born again - and celebrated her birthday for the next 17-years without her.

Zephany, who didn’t know she came from a different family and grew up a few streets from her biological parents under a different name.

In an astonishing coincidence Zephany’s sister Cassidy end up in same school as her sister – and other students began to remark on their similar appearance.

The pair became friends and when father Morne Nurse saw them together he was struck by their resemblance and contacted the police.

Now a DNA test has confirmed she is the Nurses' long-lost daughter.

The woman accused of taking Zephany is understood to be 50 years old with no other children.

It is reported she appeared at the Cape Town magistrates court on Friday 27, charged with kidnapping, fraud and contravening sections of the Children’s Act.

Zephany is currently in the custody of the social services.