A New York man has filed a lawsuit against Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens, claiming he was switched at birth with another baby over 60 years ago. Kevin McMahon, 64, alleges that he and Ross McMahon, born just 1 hour and 45 minutes apart on May 26, 1960, were both labeled “Baby McMahon” and given to the wrong families.
Kevin’s true identity was revealed after a DNA test taken by his sister, Carol Vignola, 66, in October 2020. The results confirmed long-held suspicions that Kevin was not biologically related to the family he grew up with. Vignola, who had speculated about Kevin’s origins since childhood, later informed him of the findings. Kevin took his own test in January 2021, confirming the truth. He also learned he had a biological brother, Keith. Additional tests confirmed the genetic relationships with Ross and his family.
Kevin described the discovery as a shock, saying, “I literally couldn’t come to terms with the information.” He also shared the pain he endured growing up, feeling disconnected from his family. His father and paternal grandmother suspected he wasn’t related to them, which led to strained relationships, including abusive treatment by his grandmother.
Now, Kevin is suing the hospital for medical malpractice, claiming emotional distress, mental anguish, and ongoing psychological pain. His attorney, Jeremy Schiowitz, argues that the hospital’s failure to double-check procedures led to the switch. “This wasn’t a fluke. This was a preventable tragedy,” Schiowitz said.
Kevin is seeking unspecified financial damages for the emotional suffering he’s experienced. Representatives from Jamaica Hospital Medical Center have yet to comment on the lawsuit.
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