Westland woman Mona has never met her biological parents. As a baby, she was changed at the maternity hospital in Herøy in the 60s, and was left with the wrong mother at home. A chance encounter meant that she discovered it last year. Now she has convinced both the state and the Sunnmørs municipality of Herøy where the change took place. – The plaintiff has been assigned the wrong date of birth, the wrong social security number, the wrong name and has grown up in a family to which she has no biological ties. She has been deprived of the chance to grow up in her own biological family and to have contact with and get to know them, writes her lawyer in the mood to the court. news knows the full identity of Mona, but has chosen to use only her first name out of consideration for those involved. Kristine Aarre Hånes is a lawyer for Mona. Photo: Maria Gunnarsdotter Svedal / news Strongly critical of the municipality In 1965, Mona and another girl were born shortly apart at Eggesbønes. In the early 80s, the woman who gave birth to Mona found out that she brought the wrong child home. A blood test shows that the daughter she thought was hers is not. She notifies the authorities. Almost forty years ago, there was much discussion about the matter. They are investigating what may have happened and who may have been the other child who was switched. In the end, the conclusion was that the best thing was for them to let the matter go without notifying Mona. Mona and her lawyer have searched for such information themselves through archive searches and persistent efforts. They are strongly critical of Herøy municipality’s handling of the case. Both how it was handled then, and how it is handled now. First, the municipality claimed that they had no knowledge of such a case. This is clear from an answer that is referenced in the mood: “As we wrote last time, we do not know that there has been a change of babies, but we have tried to find out if there are others who know anything”, write the municipal management in a letter to Mona on 15 June 2022. – We are reacting to the municipality trying to apologize for the fact that they have not given correct information, says lawyer Kristine Aarre Hånes. – I think it is serious that public figures we must expect to trust do not provide correct information. She claims that there has been little help. The municipality also did not want to meet Mona. 13 letters to and from the municipality in the 80s news has read the exchange of letters about the relocation case at Eggesbønes. Central to the extensive correspondence with the Directorate of Health was the then head of health in the municipality, Bjørn Martin Aasen. From the atmosphere, it appears that 13 letters were sent where Aasen was either the sender, recipient or on a copy in 1983, 1984 and 1985. Nevertheless, the municipality replied last summer as follows: You are asking for a letter sent from the Directorate of Health by the director of health to Bjørn Martin Aasen, and Bjørn Martin Aasen’s reply to the Directorate of Health. It is unknown to us, including Bjørn Martin Aasen, that such correspondence exists”. Bjørn Martin Aasen is still working for Herøy municipality. He says it is not right to comment on the case to news. The then head of health, Bjørn Martin Aasen, is still employed in Herøy municipality. He does not wish to comment on Mona’s claims. Photo: Arne Flatin / news The municipality claims they did not know any more Municipal director Trond Arne Aglen in Herøy denies that the municipality has misled her. He says the dialogue from the 80s has only recently become known to the municipality. They didn’t know it when Mona first asked for an answer. – We have spoken the truth at that time. That’s what we knew when we gave her the answers. There has in no way been an attempt to hide anything in the case. – Does the municipality have a motive for not telling the truth? – No, no motive. We have done what we can to shed light on the matter, he says. – Why do they write that Aasen does not know about the correspondence when there have been 13 letters back and forth? – We will answer that in connection with legal proceedings. But that was the basis at the time we answered Mona, says Aglen. – But is it credible? – In any case, those are the facts. According to the municipality, Aasen has previously said that he does not remember anything about the case today. Municipal director Trond Arne Aglen says they have not tried to mislead Mona. Photo: Remi Sagen / news Claims that the authorities have violated human rights Mona believes the municipality and the state have violated Article 8 of the ECHR because she first brought the wrong mother home from the maternity ward, and later because no one told about it afterwards. Mona says through her lawyer that it is an additional burden for her that the municipality is not aware of the case. – When my client tries to get information, she is told that they are not aware of any changes. But when a lawyer comes along, little by little we get the truth out. – What motive would Herøy municipality possibly have to hide something? – There is a lot at stake and for them. But it is both surprising and disappointing that Korkje municipality or the state acknowledges responsibility when there is clear evidence that the change has taken place. And that they later denied what happened. The state, which is also sued together with the municipality, rejects Mona’s claim. Government attorney Kristoffer Nerland writes in the response to the mood that there is no basis for compensation under Norwegian law. Now it is heading for a trial in the Oslo district court in the autumn. There, Mona will demand compensation after a life in the wrong family. Mona grew up without knowing her biological parents. Only after 60 years did she discover what had happened. Photo: Private
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Claims the municipality is trying to hide what happened when she was changed as a baby – news Vestland
