North Dakota Men Sue Hospital Over 40-Year-Old Baby Switch Incident

In a startling case from North Dakota, two men have filed a lawsuit against Unity Medical Center after discovering they were switched at birth nearly 40 years ago. The revelation came to light through DNA testing, leading to emotional reunions with their biological families. The lawsuit claims negligence on the part of the hospital staff, who allegedly failed to correct the mix-up. Both men, raised by each other's families, are now navigating the complexities of their newfound identities. This rare incident highlights the potential for such errors in hospitals, prompting discussions about the importance of accurate identification at birth.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 19, 2026, 02:50 IST

Lawsuit Filed After DNA Test Reveals Baby Switch

Two men from North Dakota have initiated legal action against a hospital after discovering they were mistakenly exchanged at birth nearly four decades ago. This shocking revelation has led to each man being raised by the other's biological family. The lawsuit targets Unity Medical Center, claiming that the hospital inadvertently swapped the newborns shortly after their births on January 28, 1988. The complaint states that Kyle Bylin and Jeremy Morrison were the only two infants born at the facility within hours of each other that day.

The truth came to light when Bylin received a DNA test as a Christmas gift, which linked him to a biological aunt via a genealogy website. This prompted Morrison to undergo a similar test, confirming that they had been raised by each other's biological parents. The lawsuit alleges that hospital staff switched the infants before they were discharged and failed to rectify the mistake. Both men's parents have joined the lawsuit as plaintiffs.

The complaint asserts that the employees of Unity Medical Center who were responsible for the switch acted within their professional capacity. The hospital has denied any wrongdoing, stating that there is no evidence to suggest that its staff caused the mix-up. However, they acknowledged that a switch occurred at some point. In a statement, the hospital expressed understanding of the significant impact this revelation has had on the families involved, noting that nearly 40 years have passed since the births, and relevant medical records are no longer available.

Bylin, originally named Jeremy Morrison, still has the hospital wristband that incorrectly identified him as Kyle Bylin. Evelyn Newton, who raised him, expressed her feelings of loss, stating, "Kyle is still my son – that is never going to change. But I feel robbed of the life I should have had with my biological son. You can't go back and replace 35 years. First steps, driving a car, getting married – how do you make up for that?" Since uncovering the truth, both men have met their biological parents, describing the reunions as emotional and at times awkward. Although they have communicated over the phone, they have yet to meet face-to-face.

Bylin remarked, "We've tried to unite as a group and just recognize that no matter what, there are different ways that this can be socially messy. Everyone's getting to know people that they didn't know before." While cases of baby-switching are uncommon, they do happen. According to the DNA Diagnostics Center, approximately 18 infants in the United States may be sent home with the wrong families each year, although such errors are typically identified shortly after birth.