A South African woman has pleaded not guilty to charges that she kidnapped a baby from a hospital nearly 19 years ago and raised the child as her own.

A South African woman who allegedly kidnapped a baby from a hospital and raised her for 17 years was released on bail yesterday in a sensational case in which authorities are struggling to protect the privacy of a girl who apparently had no idea of what had happened.

A newborn was kidnapped from a Cape Town hospital in 1997 but her parents never gave up hope and now, 17 years later, they have found her.