Kyle Bylin and Jeremy Morrison, two men from North Dakota who discovered through DNA tests that they were switched at birth nearly four decades ago, are suing Unity Medical Center for negligence and medical malpractice, alleging the hospital robbed them of the lives they were meant to lead.
How the Switch Was Discovered
Bylin took an at-home DNA test during a Christmas gift exchange, which led him to a biological aunt on a genealogy platform. Her nephew, Jeremy Morrison, then took his own DNA test, confirming the mix-up. “That’s when my mind was just completely blown,” Bylin said. “We could have never imagined that it was an actual birth switch that occurred.” Morrison said he was convinced after seeing a photo of Bylin’s brother, noting their strong resemblance.
The two men were the only babies born on Jan. 26, 1988, at Unity Medical Center in Grafton, North Dakota. According to their lawsuit filed in state court last week, they somehow went home with the wrong parents.
Hospital Response and Missing Records
The hospital does not dispute that the babies were switched, but a statement says there is no evidence staff were responsible. “Unfortunately, because of the passage of nearly four decades, the medical and staffing records that might have provided additional clarity no longer exist, and no members of the delivery team from that time are still employed by the hospital,” the statement reads. Bylin still has his hospital bracelet, which misidentified him as Kyle Bylin.
Attorney Tim O’Keefe, representing the families, said he tried for a year to reach a monetary settlement before filing the lawsuit. The families are seeking damages for emotional distress.
Emotional Impact on Families
Evelyn Newton, who raised Bylin, told The Associated Press, “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?” Morrison, however, still considers the parents who raised him—Elizabeth O'Toole and Terry Morrison—as his own, and said his childhood was fine. “I was loved. I played sports. I did well in school. A DNA test is not going to take away 38 years of memories,” he said.
New Relationships and Legal Action
Bylin and Morrison have met their biological parents, describing the encounters as welcoming but awkward. They have spoken by phone but not yet met in person. “Everyone’s getting to know people that they didn’t know before,” Bylin said. Dr. Jonathan Marron, a pediatric oncologist and bioethicist at Harvard Medical School, noted that such mix-ups should “happen pretty close to never” today, thanks to electronic health records. Morrison added, “I know the truth now, but we’re still working to build relationships. It’s a work in progress, just like me.”
