A lawsuit filed in North Dakota has accused a hospital of mistakenly exchanging two newborn boys in 1988, resulting in each child being raised by the other’s biological family for more than 36 years before a DNA test uncovered the alleged error.
The legal action claims the mix-up at birth permanently altered the lives of both men and their families, who only learned the truth decades later through genetic testing.
DNA Test Uncovers Long-Hidden Family Mystery
According to the lawsuit, the alleged incident occurred on January 26, 1988, at Unity Medical Center in Grafton, North Dakota, where Kyle Bylin and Jeremy Morrison were the only babies born that day.
The families contend that hospital staff mistakenly gave each newborn to the wrong parents before they left the hospital, allowing the error to remain undiscovered for decades.
The situation reportedly came to light after a woman Morrison believed was his aunt submitted a DNA sample to an ancestry website.
The results unexpectedly identified Bylin as her biological nephew, prompting relatives to question the family’s genetic connections.
Morrison reportedly had no known cousins, making the discovery even more startling.
Morrison Says He Always Felt Different Growing Up
Morrison, who now lives in Colorado, said the revelation explained feelings he had experienced throughout his childhood.
He recalled standing out physically from the rest of his family, describing himself as a blonde-haired child raised among relatives with brown hair.
Although he never suspected he had been switched at birth, he said the DNA results finally answered questions he had quietly carried for years.
Morrison said learning the truth has left him mourning the life he believes he should have lived, including growing up with biological relatives he never knew.
A Lifetime Changed by a Single Mistake
Reflecting on the discovery, Morrison said he believes his life would have followed a completely different path had he been raised by his biological parents.
He said he likely would not have settled in Colorado and instead imagined himself remaining in North Dakota to work on the family farm alongside an older brother whose existence he only recently learned about.
The emotional impact, he said, extends beyond genetics, touching every aspect of his identity, upbringing and life experiences.
Families Reconnect as Lawsuit Moves Forward
Since the alleged mix-up was uncovered, the two biological families have reportedly met each other. However, Morrison and Bylin have not yet met in person.
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and damages exceeding $50,000, arguing that the alleged hospital error deprived both men and their families of decades of shared experiences and relationships.
Hospital Rejects Allegations
Unity Medical Center has denied responsibility for the alleged baby swap and has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice.
In court filings, attorneys representing the hospital argued that medical personnel exercised appropriate professional care during the births and maintained that there is no evidence proving hospital staff caused the alleged exchange.
The hospital’s legal team also contends that the claims were filed well beyond the applicable statute of limitations because nearly four decades have passed since the births.
Hospital Says Records No Longer Exist
In a public statement, Unity Medical Center expressed sympathy for both men and their families while emphasizing that it has found no evidence linking the hospital or its employees to the alleged mistake.
Hospital officials noted that nearly 40 years have elapsed since the births, meaning medical records and staffing documents that could potentially clarify what happened have been destroyed under record-retention policies.
They also said none of the medical staff involved in the 1988 deliveries remain employed by the facility.
While acknowledging the emotional toll of the discovery, the hospital said it remains committed to understanding the circumstances but cannot confirm the allegations based on the information currently available.
What Happens Next?
The court will decide whether the lawsuit can proceed or whether the hospital’s request for dismissal will be granted.
If the case moves forward, both sides are expected to present evidence regarding the alleged newborn mix-up, the DNA findings, and whether the claims were filed within the legal timeframe allowed under North Dakota law.
Summary
Two North Dakota families have sued Unity Medical Center, alleging hospital staff accidentally switched their newborn sons in 1988.
The alleged error remained undiscovered for more than 36 years until a consumer DNA test revealed the biological relationships.
While the families seek damages and a jury trial, the hospital denies responsibility, argues the lawsuit is time-barred, and says no surviving records support the allegations.
The case will now proceed through the legal system as the court considers the hospital’s motion to dismiss.
