DNA tests reunite tsunami ‘Baby 81’ with his parents

A MOTHER who launched a heart-rending court battle with nine other couples to get custody of a baby boy she said was swept from her arms almost eight weeks ago in the Asian tsunami will be reunited with him today after DNA tests proved he was hers.

The finding ended weeks of uncertainty and drama surrounding the infant, who as ‘Baby 81’ became a symbol of families torn apart by the tsunami, and set the stage for a reunion today with his parents Jenita and Murugupillai Jeyarajah.

“I am so happy, and I only have to thank God for giving my child back,” said Murugupillai, the boy’s father. “We’ve got the results for all our hardships.”

Nine couples originally claimed the boy in the coastal town of Kalmunai. The Jeyarajahs were the only couple to file a formal claim, but they couldn’t document it because their records were swept away in the tsunami.

The court had ruled that the baby must stay in the hospital until DNA tests could confirm his parentage, and the family underwent the testing February 9. The judge unsealed the results from an envelope during a hearing attended only by lawyers on Monday, read them aloud and then ordered the couple, hospital officials and baby to appear before the court today.

“Since they are the biological parents, I have noticed them to appear on that day and we will hand over the baby,” Judge M.P. Mohaideen said after the hearing.

“The reason they had to go through a DNA test is to ensure that the baby is not discriminated against. This is the first such case in Sri Lanka and it is a historic case.”

The child’s name is Abilass, and he was born October 19, the Jeyarajahs say.