The families of two men who recently found out they were switched at birth 38 years ago due to DNA tests are pointing fingers at a North Dakota hospital for altering the course of their lives. Kyle Bylin, who uncovered his birth family through a random at-home DNA test he took during a gift exchange, connected with his biological aunt on a genealogy platform, leading to the revelation. Jeremy Morrison, the aunt’s nephew, then underwent DNA testing, confirming the mix-up.
Bylin, formerly known as Jeremy Morrison, expressed shock at the discovery, mentioning that seeing a photo of Bylin’s brother made him realize the resemblance between them. Both Bylin and Morrison, the only babies born on January 26, 1988, at Unity Medical Center in Grafton, N.D., were taken home by the wrong parents, according to their lawsuit filed last week in state court.
While the hospital denies staff involvement in the switch, Bylin, retaining the hospital bracelet misidentifying him as Kyle Bylin, still holds on to the tangible reminder. The absence of existing hospital records complicates the investigation, leaving the families grappling with the aftermath of the life-altering revelation for the past two years.
Evelyn Newton, who raised Bylin as her own, expressed a sense of loss for the time she could have spent with her biological son, despite acknowledging that Kyle remains her son. Morrison, on the other hand, still regards his upbringing with Elizabeth O’Toole and Terry Morrison as positive, emphasizing that a DNA test cannot erase 38 years of memories.
The hospital acknowledges the switch but claims no current evidence implicates its administration or staff. Morrison, now residing in Colorado City, Colo., reflects on the life he might have had working on a North Dakota farm with his biological family. Newton recalls never questioning Kyle’s parentage while raising him, citing familial variations in hair color and her own adoption experience as factors.
For Bylin, the revelation sparks deeper contemplation on the impact of nature versus nurture as he navigates his academic pursuits far from his North Dakota roots. Both Bylin and Morrison have since met their biological parents separately, describing the encounters as awkward but welcoming. They have yet to meet each other in person but have initiated communication over the phone.
While such cases of switched births are uncommon, advancements in at-home DNA testing are aiding in their discovery. Dr. Jonathan Marron emphasizes the importance of electronic health records in preventing mix-ups, stressing the necessity for accuracy in modern healthcare practices. Attorney Tim O’Keefe’s attempts to reach a settlement with the hospital before resorting to a lawsuit underscore the families’ ongoing journey of coming to terms with their new realities and rebuilding relationships.
