Two Girls Were Switched At Birth, So Their Families Made A Drastic Decision

Melissa Foderà and Caterina Alagna lived drama-free lives when they were young girls. But that didn’t last forever. You see, the pair had been unintentionally switched as babies at the hospital. And once their moms found out what had happened, they made a huge decision that changed everything.

Crushing truth

We can only imagine what was going through those mothers’ minds once the shocking truth came to light. After all, how would you react if you found out your child wasn’t actually yours? It would be devastating. And the hospital responsible for the mix-up had a lot to answer for.

Same delivery date

We know how it happened, though. Melissa and Caterina’s moms were both at the same hospital in Sicily. It was New Year’s Eve 1998, and both were in labor. Melissa and Caterina were delivered within 15 minutes of each other, too. But that doesn’t excuse what came next.

Shocking error

Marinella Alagna was handed baby Melissa at the hospital instead of her biological daughter Caterina. Caterina, on the other hand, went home with Gisella Foderà — Melissa’s mom. And to make matters even worse, the shocking error wouldn’t be uncovered for another three years.

How did it happen?

It sounds like the plot of a Hollywood movie, but it was as real as it gets for the Italian women. Gisella and Marinella were then put in a horrible position — one that would agonize any mother. But how did the switch even happen in the first place?