Man sues New York hospital after discovering he was switched at birth 60 years ago

Kevin McMahon filed the lawsuit in 2021 against Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens, alleging that the hospital mistakenly swapped him at birth with another baby named Ross McMahon on May 26, 1960.

Both babies were labeled "Baby McMahon," and were born less than two hours apart, Kevin's lawyer, Jeremy Schiowitz, told People. They were reportedly handed over to the wrong families.

The truth began to unravel in October 2020 when Kevin's sister, Carol Vignola, submitted their DNA to Ancestry.com. Through the results, she discovered she had a biological brother she never knew existed. The findings confirmed Carol's long-held suspicion that Kevin might not be biologically related to their family. Carol, who had doubted their connection since childhood, shared the shocking discovery with Kevin.

In early 2021, Kevin took his own DNA test, confirming he was not related to the family who raised him. The test also revealed a biological brother named Keith. Further DNA tests involving Kevin, Keith, Carol, and Ross confirmed the hospital mix-up.

Kevin described his reaction as total disbelief, telling the New York Post, "For a long time, I’m like, I’m not really Kevin McMahon. I’m really Ross McMahon," he said. "I thought to myself, ‘I’m nobody ... I don’t exist.’"

He added that the situation "explained everything why my childhood was the way that it was."

Kevin reflected on a difficult childhood marked by suspicion and mistreatment. He recalled that his paternal grandmother and father doubted his paternity because of his darker features. His grandmother, believing he was the result of his mother’s affair, treated him with hostility.

"She seemed to hate me," Kevin told the Post. He also described enduring physical abuse from both his father and grandmother, growing up in fear and feeling like an outsider in his own family.

All four parents involved had passed away before the truth emerged. Kevin expressed some envy toward Ross, noting that Ross enjoyed the affection and support of Kevin's biological father.

Kevin is now suing Jamaica Hospital for medical malpractice, accusing them of causing emotional trauma, severe psychological distress, and ongoing mental anguish. He is seeking financial damages, claiming the hospital has yet to acknowledge the incident.

The hospital declined to comment when contacted by People on Monday.