25.08.2025 02:44
In the Bismil district of Diyarbakır, the couple Fatma and Ercan Aslan learned that the baby they were handed after being told he had "died" and who had received 17 days of treatment in the hospital after birth, did not belong to them according to a DNA test. The family, who have two other children, has initiated a legal battle against those responsible.
In 2008, Fatma Aslan, who gave birth prematurely at home in the Bismil district of Diyarbakır, took her 7-month-old baby first to Bismil State Hospital and then to Dağkapı Children's Hospital in Diyarbakır. The baby, whom they named 'Muhammed Furkan', was placed in an incubator here. The family, who could not see their baby during the 17-day treatment process, received the news of the baby's death from hospital officials and buried the body at Yeniköy Cemetery.
THE BABIES GIVEN TO THEM WITH THE STATEMENT 'DIED IN THE HOSPITAL 17 YEARS AGO' WERE NOT THEIRS
However, over the years, the family's suspicions that their child was alive increased, and they applied to the prosecutor's office to request the exhumation of the grave. Following the exhumation process initiated three years ago, a DNA test conducted at the Forensic Medicine Institution in June of last year revealed that the deceased did not have a genetic connection to Fatma Aslan. The family, who now has two more children, continues their legal battle against those responsible.
"THEY GAVE US THE BODY IN A BOX, WE BURIED IT BUT WE ALWAYS DOUBTED"
Father Ercan Aslan, recounting their experience, said, "Our child, born in 2008, stayed in the hospital for 17 days. We made many requests to see him or to breastfeed, but none were allowed. After 17 days, I was called in the early morning and informed of the death. When I went, they handed over the body in a box. I am a civil servant, I am an imam. We know the burial place, we buried him. But later, they told us that this burial place could not be found in the Yeniköy Cemetery records. I was on duty at the Cemetery Directorate at that time; such a thing is impossible. Therefore, we applied to the prosecutor's office. When a mismatch was found in the DNA match, and we learned that the child was not ours, our hearts were relieved. For years, it ate us up inside. Now we believe our child is alive. We are complaining about all the staff at the hospital. We are waiting for help from the authorities to reach our child," he said.
"I ALWAYS FELT THAT MY SON WAS ALIVE"
Mother Fatma Aslan also stated that she never believed the news of her baby's death, saying: "I never saw my baby when he was born; I was not allowed to breastfeed. When I received the news of his death, I felt no pain, I could not cry. I always had a feeling inside me. I believed my son was alive. Three years ago, my husband and I decided to apply to the prosecutor's office. The grave was opened, a DNA test was conducted, and the result was a mismatch. Now I know my son is alive. I am sure he is somewhere in Diyarbakır or its surroundings. My son may have been given to another family, but I feel he is not happy.
"ALL BABIES BORN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2008, SHOULD HAVE DNA TESTS WITH THEIR FAMILIES"
I call on the authorities to conduct DNA tests with the families of all babies born in Diyarbakır and its surroundings on February 5, 2008. I am ready. I feel my son is not happy. He may have been given to a wealthy family, but he is not at peace. We have been very tired for 3 years; we want to reunite with our son now. Even if I am the mother, my son is in Diyarbakır and its surroundings. Because I feel it when he comes to Diyarbakır. I also feel it when he leaves. So, it may sound silly to some, and some may say, 'Can such a thing happen?' But a real mother, a mother whose heart is burning, knows where her child is. I feel it. I feel it when my son comes to Diyarbakır, and I feel it when he leaves. Has there been a mix-up, or was he sold to someone else? They never showed him, they never asked for milk. The last time I went to the hospital gate, I waited for almost an hour. I begged to be let in. I said, 'Just 5 minutes, let me see my son and come out.' They did not allow it."