Cape Town - The woman accused of abducting Zephany Nurse in 1997 is currently on trial. Here’s how the story unfolded.
On April 30, 1997, three-day-old Zephany was abducted from Groote Schuur Hospital while her mother Celeste was sleeping.
The woman accused of abducting Zephany allegedly falsely registered her as her own daughter six years later in Malmesbury.
Read: #ZephanyNurse accused 'tried to take my baby'
The discovery that Zephany was the kidnapped infant from Groote Schuur hospital was only made on February 25, 2015, almost eighteen years later.
In a bizarre twist of fate, Zephany and her biological sister Cassidy Nurse met at high school in Retreat at the beginning of the 2015 school year. Classmates remarked on their striking resemblance.
Read: #ZephanyNurse accused recounts abuse
The girls’ parents Celeste and Morne Nurse became suspicious, contacted police, and DNA tests confirmed that Zephany was indeed their biological daughter.
The woman accused of abducting Zephany was arrested on February 26, 2015 on charges of kidnapping a minor.
Read: #ZephanyNurse: Dad tells of search for clues
On February 27, 2015, the accused made her first appearance at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court. She was released on R5 000 bail.
Morne and Celeste Nurse addressed the media on March 11, 2015 at the SABC Sea Point auditorium after being reunited with Zephany.
Read: #ZephanyNurse case: mom breaks down
Zephany Nurse celebrated her 18th birthday with her biological family on April 28, 2015. This is the first birthday she spent with them.
In April 2015, writer Heindrich Wyngaard documented the ordeal in a book titled “A Home for Zephany”.
The kidnapping trial began at the Western Cape High Court on Monday.
On Tuesday the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges.
By order of the court, the woman may not be identified to protect the new identity of Zephany Nurse.
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