Crowd Storms Hospital in Fight Over Tsunami Baby
A court ordered a couple claiming to be the parents of a baby found alone in tsunami debris to have a DNA test, triggering a hospital intrusion that led to their arrest.
Eight women also have claimed the 4-month-old boy, called Baby 81 because he was the 81st admission to the hospital on Dec. 26, the day the tsunami hit. The battle has become a symbol of the anguish of thousands of families who lost children in the disaster.
Jenita Jeyarajah and her husband, Murugupillai, have filed the only formal custody claim. Judge M.P. Mohaideen said anyone else claiming to be a parent also should have DNA samples taken.
The Jeyarajahs became distraught when told the boy would stay at the hospital until at least April 20, when the judge is expected to hear the DNA results.
With dozens of relatives and friends, the couple forced their way into the hospital’s pediatric ward. The couple and two supporters were arrested and briefly detained, then released and ordered to appear at a hearing today.
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