Abducted at birth, 26-year-old reunites with long lost family

More than a quarter of a century later and continents apart, Belle Barbu managed to track down her biological family. The American young woman who now lives in Utah was born in Romania in 1994 to an impoverished family, writes Cristian Gherasim.

According to Belle Barbu her parents thought she died soon after birth.

“Soon after birth, doctors told my parents I was very ill and I need to remain hospitalized for a bit more time. My parent went home and returned to the hospital a few days later. The doctors told them I was dead and there was nothing they could do.”

Belle Barbu explained how a nurse told her parent the truth about how she was taken from the hospital and sold.

“I later learned how my family tried to find me, driving to each and every orphanage in search for me until they used up all their savings.”

Growing up, she realized that her US family looked nothing like her and was told she was adopted as birth.

“The story my adoptive family told me is that my biological parents didn’t want me and that they gave me away. That made me ashamed, but even more determined to find out where I am from and who my real parents are.”

Ms. Barbu joined a Facebook group that helps adopted Romanian find their biological families. She soon found out not only found out the name of her mother and father but also the fact that she has several siblings.

“I uncovered that I have two brothers, 20 year old Moise and and 29 year old Florian. I also have 33 year old sister. Group organizers help translate the conversation between me and my family as I do not speak Romanian. It was all very emotional.”

Like many other Romanians emigrating abroad, her biological family too now lives in Italy near Rome and Belle Barbu managed last year to travel and see them.

Share this article: