Stolen at Birth: A Heartfelt Reunion After 25 Years

Twenty-five years ago, an infant named Belle Barbu was taken from her biological mother by none other than the doctors at the hospital where she was born, in Romania.

The doctors told her mother that the newborn was gravely ill. "My mom was a very innocent woman from an extremely poor family," says Barbu, now 26. "The doctors never told her what I was supposedly suffering from, and after she was released and went home, I was kept at the hospital. A few days later, they told them I had died."

Barbu's parents continued to visit the hospital and inquire about their daughter, a sight that must have touched one of the nurses, who secretly revealed to them that their child had been sold. "My parents spent their last money to travel to an orphanage, hoping to find me there. But they found nothing, and after a year, there was no one left to turn to."

Little did Belle's parents know that an American family, who still resides in Utah, USA today, had adopted their baby.

When Belle was asked if she knew she was adopted, she recounted how at the age of eight, her adoptive parents had a conversation with her, revealing she was born in Romania and adopted after her biological parents supposedly did not want her.

To verify their story, her adoptive parents disclosed her original family name, which proved crucial years later in her search.

"A year ago, I found a Facebook group that helps Romanians search for their real families. I posted there, revealing my original last name, and within just 48 hours, received dozens of messages." Among these was one that caught her attention, from the group manager. "She wrote that she had been contacted by a 20-year-old man named Moise, who shared my last name. Through conversations with him, I realized he was my biological brother, and I also have two more siblings - Simona and Florian. My biological parents, Margery and Zambila, live in Rome. I had a very emotional call with them, and shortly thereafter, we had a reunion," she recounts.

With the help of an organization dedicated to such cases, Barbu took a DNA test which confirmed she was indeed their long-lost daughter. "On the flight to Rome, I was truly excited to meet them. Despite not knowing them, I felt a deep connection. Our meeting was incredible, and I found it hard to say goodbye."