Decades of Doubt: A Mother’s Unwavering Belief

For María del Mar Cano Mazuelas, now 61, life has been a turbulent sea of hope and despair. Three years ago, a revelation brought a bittersweet joy: the baby she believed was stolen from her at birth in an Irún hospital in the basque Country was, in fact, alive. However, this happiness was quickly overshadowed by a profound sadness. Her son, now 43 years old, has shown no desire to connect with her, his biological mother.

“He Doesn’t Want to Know Me”: A Second Devastation

maría del Mar poignantly states, He doesn’t want to know anything about me. He has destroyed my life. This sentiment echoes the initial devastation she experienced when her newborn was taken from her. At just 17, she instinctively felt that the narrative presented by the medical staff and even her own mother was false.

A Conspiracy of Silence: Doubts and Deception

María del Mar suspects her mother played a role in the deception. My mother told me that he was born with deformations and dead, she recounts. My mother told me that it was not convenient to see it because it was deformed, that it was unpleasant to see him and that so that I do not stay with a bad image, that I do not see it better. This explanation never sat right with her.

The Nurse’s Revelation: A Spark of Hope

Despite the united front presented by her mother and the doctors, María del mar never fully accepted their version of events. It was his word against mine and against that of doctors. The doctor who attended me was also bought, she claims. A turning point came when a nurse confided in her that her son was born healthy and alive, directly contradicting the official story.

Legal Hurdles and Emotional barriers

My son lives in Oviedo, María del Mar reveals,withholding his name for legal reasons and out of respect for his privacy. Despite knowing his whereabouts, she is unable to contact him. Her lawyer, Juan de Dios Ramírez, who has been assisting her for over a decade since the case was reopened in 1981, explains the legal complexities.

The court invited him to appeal the son, but resigned from it. He did not want to appeal or be part. With that it seems that I would not want to meet the mother or have contact with the mother.

Juan de Dios Ramírez, Lawyer

the Ongoing Search for Truth and Reconciliation

María del Mar’s story highlights the enduring pain and frustration experienced by mothers who suspect their children were taken from them at birth. While the exact number of such cases in Spain remains debated, organizations dedicated to reuniting families continue to advocate for thorough investigations and support for affected individuals. The search for truth and reconciliation continues, driven by the unwavering hope of a mother’s love.

The Unfolding of a Mother’s Nightmare

In October 1981, a young María del Mar was preparing to give birth at Irún Hospital. The father of the child was no longer in the picture, and she faced the prospect of motherhood alone. Though, the events that followed her son’s birth would plunge her into a decades-long ordeal.

According to María del Mar, after giving birth, she was denied the chance to hold her newborn. Shortly after, her mother delivered the devastating news that the baby had died, claiming it would be too traumatic for María del Mar to see the deformed body. overwhelmed and only 17 years old, she didn’t ask to see the body, but she never accepted her mother’s explanation.

That was hell. Every time I took the conversation with my mother, I was silent. She has never accepted it to me. He will take it to the other world and will continue to deny that my son is alive.

Decades of Doubt and Determination

Haunted by doubt, María del Mar carried the weight of her missing child. At 20, she remarried and moved to granada, where she started a new family, having two more children. However, the relationship with her mother deteriorated, eventually ceasing altogether. The pain of her firstborn’s disappearance continued to fester.

It wasn’t until 2011 that María del Mar began her formal search, filing reports with the police. Initially, her efforts were solitary and unsuccessful. looking alone closed the cases everywhere, she recounts. However, in 2013, she found an ally in Carmen Lorente, who helped her navigate the complex legal landscape.

Legal Battles and the Hope for Reunion

María del mar’s lawyer has confirmed that the Basque Autonomic Police have investigated the case and identified the son. The court now possesses his personal information and has invited him to participate in the legal proceedings.Despite the years of separation, María del Mar remains steadfast in her desire for a reunion.

We know the identity and that has been invited to enter the procedure. The court knows the address, name, surname, DNI.

Both María del Mar and her legal team are committed to facilitating a meeting between mother and son. I’m not going to fight until my son wants to know about me, she insists, highlighting her unwavering hope.

The Shadow of Spain’s “Stolen Babies” Scandal

María del Mar’s story is not unique. It echoes the experiences of countless families affected by Spain’s “stolen babies” scandal, a dark chapter in the country’s history that spanned the Franco regime and continued into the 1990s.Thousands of newborns were allegedly taken from their mothers, often under false pretenses of death or illness, and given to other families.

While the exact number of cases remains unknown, estimates range from hundreds to thousands. Investigations into thes alleged crimes have been hampered by statute of limitations, lack of documentation, and the advanced age of many involved.However, the determination of mothers like María del Mar keeps the issue alive, demanding justice and closure.

Moving Forward: Seeking Truth and Reconciliation

As María del Mar continues her pursuit of truth and reconciliation, her story serves as a reminder of the enduring power of maternal love and the importance of confronting ancient injustices. The “stolen babies” scandal remains a wound on Spain’s collective conscience, and the fight for answers continues.

The case highlights the need for continued inquiry,support for affected families,and a commitment to ensuring that such atrocities never happen again. The hope for María del Mar, and countless others, is that one day, they will find the peace and closure they deserve.

Decades of Doubt: A Mother’s Unwavering Hope

For 43 years, María del Mar lived with the agonizing uncertainty of a mother separated from her child. Her relentless pursuit for answers recently culminated in a reunion, thanks to a renewed investigation into alleged “stolen babies” cases in Spain. This case highlights the enduring pain and the long-term fight for justice faced by families affected by these historical injustices.

Unraveling the Past: The Role of “Seville Stolen Babies”

María del Mar’s journey to find her son was significantly aided by the association Seville stolen Babies. this association provides crucial support to women like María, assisting them in navigating the complex legal and emotional challenges of their cases. Lorente, a member of the association, recalls María’s initial despair, stating, “She was broken, destroyed. I didn’t know how to find her son.” Lorente assisted her in filing a new complaint, leading to a judge ordering an investigation by the Basque Autonomic Police, the Ertzaintza.

Key Evidence Emerges: Inconsistencies and Omissions

Critical testimony from María del Mar’s sister and mother revealed inconsistencies in the official records,ultimately leading to the reopening of the case.The police investigation uncovered a startling lack of documentation.There was no record of a baby’s burial in any cemetery on the date María del mar was separated from her child, nor was her name listed in the Irún Hospital’s registry of women who gave birth that day. These omissions strongly suggested foul play and fueled the determination to find the truth.

A Breakthrough in Oviedo: hope Restored

Three years ago, the investigation yielded a major breakthrough: María del Mar’s son was located in Oviedo. Recalling the moment she received the news, María del Mar said, I started to give squeaky of joy, that I did not believe it. I said ‘they have already found it,as tomorrow I will see it’. However, the legal process required patience, and the reunion had to wait.

The Fight Continues: Addressing Historical Injustices

María del Mar’s story is not unique. Across Spain, numerous families continue to grapple with the unresolved trauma of alleged “stolen babies” cases, particularly those that occurred during the Franco regime and the years that followed. While exact figures are arduous to ascertain, human rights organizations estimate that thousands of children may have been taken from their parents under dubious circumstances. These cases often involve allegations of falsified death certificates, illegal adoptions, and a lack of transparency from medical and religious institutions.

The ongoing investigations and the work of organizations like “Seville Stolen babies” are crucial in bringing these historical injustices to light and providing support to affected families. the pursuit of truth, justice, and reconciliation remains a vital step in healing the wounds of the past.

The Agony of a Closed Door: A Birth Mother’s Plea

For María del Mar,the joy of reuniting with the son she gave up for adoption has been overshadowed by profound heartbreak. Despite locating him, her son has refused any contact, leaving her in a state of perpetual longing for the past three years.Her simple wish: to let him know her face.

María del Mar’s attempts to connect have been met with silence. Two Christmases ago, she sent a letter through the court, hoping to bridge the gap. “He came to him, but we had no news.He did not want to contact us. The judge sent him a letter to collect the documentation,that everything was there,and he refused,” she recounts,her voice heavy with disappointment.

Family Yearning: A Brother’s and Sister’s Desire for Connection

the pain extends beyond María del Mar. Her two other children also long to meet their older brother, creating a ripple effect of yearning within the family. This situation highlights the complex dynamics that can arise in adoption reunions, impacting not only the birth parents and adoptee but also siblings and other family members.

The Power of Narrative: Competing Perspectives in Adoption

María del Mar suspects that her son’s adoptive parents may have presented a skewed version of events, influencing his decision to remain estranged. This underscores a critical aspect of adoption: the power of narrative and how different perspectives can shape an individual’s understanding of their past.

He only knows a version, he doesn’t know mine. What that woman wanted to tell her.For me, a role can say that she is her mother, but His mother is me and I will always be, me too I have not abandoned him as they have made him believe. Knowing that your child is alive and dose not want to know anything about you is the biggest pain in the world.

María del Mar

Her words resonate with the raw emotion of a mother who feels her bond has been unjustly severed. She emphasizes that while adoptive parents play a crucial role, the biological connection remains a basic part of her identity and her son’s history.

Adoption Reunions: Navigating Complex Emotions

Adoption reunions are rarely simple. They involve a complex interplay of emotions, expectations, and past experiences. while some reunions lead to fulfilling relationships,others,like María del Mar’s,are fraught with challenges. According to a study by the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, approximately one-third of adult adoptees search for their birth parents, and the outcomes of these reunions vary widely.

Moving Forward: Hope Amidst Heartbreak

Despite the rejection, María del mar clings to hope. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of maternal love and the complexities inherent in the adoption process. It also highlights the need for greater understanding and support for all parties involved in adoption, particularly during the often-turbulent period of reunion.