BlogsOpinion

True Crime Junkie: Revisiting the Zephany Nurse case

The couple’s younger daughter, Cassidy, grew up knowing she had an older sister she had never met.

Taking home a newborn is an unforgettable moment for most families, but for one family, it took 17 years to take their baby home.

Zephany Nurse was born on 28 April 1997 to parents Morné and Celeste Nurse.

Three days later, she was kidnapped from her crib next to her mother’s bed in the Groote Schuur Hospital.

For 17 years, the case mostly stayed dormant.

Every year, the Nurse parents held a birthday party for their missing daughter, hoping that she would someday be returned to them.

The couple’s younger daughter, Cassidy, grew up knowing she had an older sister she had never met.

When Cassidy went to high school in January 2015, everyone thought that she was the younger sibling of a Grade 12 learner.

Cassidy became friends with this Grade 12 girl, and soon afterwards, Morné took both girls to McDonald’s one afternoon after school.

He immediately felt a connection with this girl, and he contacted the investigating officer involved in this case.

Upon investigation, it was found that her birthday was registered as the day baby Nurse was kidnapped. The mother claimed that her baby was born at a local clinic; however, no record of this birth could be found.

The next step was DNA. Samples were taken from both of the parents and compared to that of the grade 12 girl. Within 24 hours, it was confirmed – she was Zephany Nurse.

Lavona Solomon was arrested the next day. Zephany was introduced to her biological parents after 17 years. The Nurse couple was overwhelmed with happiness; their family was complete, finally. However, the situation was not easy on Zephany.

For Zephany, her whole life was turned upside down. The mother who raised her was now known as a criminal, and she was not allowed any contact with Zephany.

Lavona fell pregnant when she was 33 years old; unfortunately, she lost the baby, and she didn’t tell anyone. According to her, she met a woman who gave her this unwanted baby. However, she was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Some felt that this sentence was too lenient, as Zephany was raised in a loving home.

This does not excuse the pain that was caused to the Nurse family; nothing does.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here.
Back to top button