Murugupillai Jeyarajah (L), the father of 'Baby 81', and other relatives play with Abilash or 'Baby 81' near their tsunami-ravaged home at Kalmunai, Sri Lanka February 16, 2005. Sri Lanka's 'Baby 81' finally recovered his parents and name on Wednesday, two months after he was found alive in tsunami debris and was carried straight to a Hindu temple where the gods were thanked with smashed coconuts.
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The much-talked 'Baby 81' story ended this afternoon when the courts officially handed over the baby to his real parents in Kalmunai.
Baby 81, or Abilash Jeyarajah, was brought to the courthouse from the hospital and was handed over to Junita and Murugpillai Jeyarajah in the presence of a large gathering of local residents and media personnel.
After receiving the child, the family immediately visited a nearby Hindu temple to give thanks for their son’s safe return.
Judge M.P. Moahaidein said on Monday that DNA test results confirmed the couple was the biological parents of the four-month-old boy.
I wonder if the other 8 couples fighting for him knew deep down that he wasn't theirs or if they truly, truly, believed he was their son.
Will the other familes be investigated at all, especially the woman who tried to steal him from the hospital? It seems pointless to do anything to her after having learned that he's not your son would be enough punishment. UInless she tries to steal him again of course, which would be interesting.
02-17-2005 06:21 AM
