Baby switch case from 1965 unfolds in Oslo court as families seek justice

The case of a shocking baby switch that occurred in a Norwegian hospital in 1965 continues to unfold in court. Karen Rafteseth Dokken, now 78, shared her experience at the Oslo District Court, reflecting on her unexpected mothering of a child that was not her biological daughter.

Dokken recounted how she was admitted to the hospital to give birth to a daughter, returning home a week later with a baby she believed to be hers. Over the years, despite not seeing a family resemblance, she rationalized the differences, believing the child had inherited traits from her mother-in-law. “I had no idea anything was wrong,” she stated. The emotional toll of the revelation that the babies had been switched struck her hard, prompting tears during her testimony.

The biological daughter of Dokken was raised by another family, only reconnecting with her nearly 60 years later. The switch was discovered in 2021, igniting a legal battle where one mother and both daughters now seek up to 20 million kroner in compensation.

The mix-up became evident when the daughter raised by Dokken conducted a DNA test and began searching for relatives online, leading to a shocking revelation for both families. One of the switched babies, Linda Risvik Gotaas, expressed her disappointment that she did not learn sooner about the switch, emphasizing her desire for an apology and compensation from the state.

The state and the municipality, aware of the mix-up as early as the 1980s yet failing to inform the families, have resisted accountability. Legal representatives argue that the cases may be considered outdated and that proving who was at fault for the switch is challenging. The ongoing proceedings aim to bring clarity and resolution to this extraordinary case.