Two fathers and two mothers: Marcela and Carolina were exchanged at birth and when they met in college they discovered the similarities that convinced them to take a DNA test.

“Daddy, I found his lost daughter.” The words were a kind of ‘joke’, but eventually they became a truth that encompassed two families.

Marcela told her father in Colombia that she had many similarities with a college classmate: “Date of birth, clinic and even the time, because one was born at 2:45 p.m. and the other five minutes later,” El Colombiano reviewed. .

It was true. As happens in a soap opera, Dunia Restrepo and Sandra Campos went to the same health center to give birth on the same day.

In 2008, their daughters met and the truth came to light.

Marcela Rodríguez Campos and Carolina Erazo Restrepo were exchanged at birth on September 6, 1988, 35 years ago, at the San Pedro Claver Hospital, now the Méderi Clinic, in Bogotá, the aforementioned media reported.

There were so many similarities that awaited this story that fate led Marcela and Carolina “to study the same degree at Javeriana University in Bogotá.”

He suspected that his fourth girl was not his daughter because she did not have his characteristics, he took a DNA test on her and life surprised him: the story of two little girls changed at birth

Very similar and very true

Marcela’s curiosity overflowed and together with her mother, Sandra Campos, she took to social networks in search of more information and in photos “they discovered Carolina’s resemblance to Marcela’s sister.”

“One day my father picked us up at the university. Carolina showed him pictures of her as a child and they saw similarities,” Marcela added.

According to the Colombian media, the signals became increasingly clear and they decided to take a DNA test. They had known each other for a year and everything suggested that there was something deep inside.

The results closed the door to doubt: “Marcela’s biological parents are Dunia Restrepo and Elmer Erazo; and those from Carolina are Sandra Campos and Miguel Rodríguez.”

The test of July 8, 2009 showed that “the girls were accidentally switched at birth”, published El Colombiano.

The emotional hug of twins separated at birth: one found the other when they accidentally tagged him in a photo on Facebook

Families in shock; the women made a pact

The two families said they were shocked. One of the mothers commented, “I’m grateful because we have both.”

Marcela takes the lead in this story. “When we received the DNA tests we made a pact between the two of us not to change the situation. I am still Sandra and Miguel’s daughter; and you, by Dunia and Elmer”.

They both thank their foster parents. “They always gave me all the love,” Carolina said.

I still mention fathers to those who raised me. They gave me love and education for 21 years of my life

Marcela

Long wait for compensation

The women “decided to take legal action against the San Pedro Claver Hospital, now called the Méderi Clinic.” The mistake was obvious, they were exchanged. Behind this was “negligence”.

After five years, in 2023, Marcela and Carolina are still waiting for compensation.

El Colombiano highlighted that on September 10, 2018, “the 60th Administrative Court of the Bogotá Circuit ruled that the defunct Social Security Institute is financially responsible for the damage caused to the families.”

Consequently, “the nation and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection were ordered to pay economic compensation for moral and life damage to the condition of each of those affected.”

The women decided to keep the surname of their foster parents. They don’t know how to define what they have experienced since 2008. They say, “It was a coincidence or even a miracle.”

The curious Marcela discovered something else on this long path: the surprise that life had for her led her to discover from whom she inherited “the genius”, the character. And Carolina said, “Ultimately, I’m grateful to have two spectacular dads and two spectacular moms.” (JO)