21 September 2007

BRUSSELS - Ann Blomme, the East Flanders surrogate mother who sold baby Donna to a Dutch couple, wants the child returned to her. That is her wish if the Dutch court decides to send the child back to Belgium. This emerged on Thursday from arguments presented by her lawyer in court in Utrecht on Thursday.

"The court hearing has taken a toll on me," says Bart Philtjens of Antwerp, baby Donna's biological father. Several years ago Blomme agreed to carry a child for Philtjens and his wife and was artificially inseminated with Philtjens' sperm. Blomme told the couple however that she had a miscarriage. She then went on to give birth to the child, claiming it was her husband's child. A DNA test has since shown that Philtjens is in fact the father. Shortly before given birth, after misinforming Philtjens, Blomme decided to sell the baby to a Dutch couple. The court in Utrecht heard the surrogate mother's lawyer on Thursday. All those involved in the case have now been permitted to give their viewpoint.

Philtjens spoke in court in early July, but attended the hearing on Thursday as well. "The surrogate mother's lawyer talked for a long time. The surrogate does not deny there were agreements that we were to get the baby. Via the internet however the surrogate came in contact with the Dutch couple. I continue to hope that the child will be given to us."

The next session in the baby Donna case will take place on 24 October.

[Copyright Expatica News 2007]

Subject: Belgian news