52-year-old Lavona Solomon will appear before a parole board hearing tomorrow in the Western Cape. This follows her arrest and ten-year sentencing in 2016 for the kidnapping of a three-day-old Zephany Nurse from Groote Schuur Hospital in 1997.
As per IOL, the parole hearing coincides with the recent release of a related documentary called Girl Taken containing interviews with Zephany, the Nurse family, Solomon as well as her husband Michael.
According to News24, Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe has said that he will take Solomon’s health status, age, and previously clean criminal record into consideration when making his decision.
Also read: Zephany Nurse turns life story into a book and documentary
Solomon was dubbed ‘Steel Ma’ during the initial criminal trial. She was convicted of kidnapping, fraud, and violation of the Children’s Act.
702 reports that Solomon remains firm in her innocence, claiming that she never abducted Nurse. She claims that due to miscarrying and a desperate desire for her own child she made arrangements to exchange payment for a baby with a woman named Sylvia. The exchange took place at the Wynberg train station.
17 years ago she and Michael renamed the girl Miché Solomon and raised her as their own daughter. A chance encounter between her and a Cassidy Nurse at Zwaanswyk High School occurs in 2015.
Cassidy found the resemblance between the two girls undeniably striking. She relayed her astonishment to her father, Morné Nurse. He then arranged to take the two girls for a meal and was just as taken aback at their likeness.
After further investigation and DNA tests were conducted, Zephany’s true identity was revealed.
Zephany expressed herself through a book and short film after facing an identity crisis and an immensely complex emotional situation for all involved ensued.
Also read:
West coast woman arrested for a R2.5 million fraud and money laundering
Picture: Pexels