Feed MRSS-S alfonso_cabeza_a, english.elpais.com en-us https://english.elpais.com Sat, 11 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2026-04-11/in-spain-forensic-experts-find-no-trace-of-alleged-baby-theft.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2026-04-11/in-spain-forensic-experts-find-no-trace-of-alleged-baby-theft.html Manuel Ansede A new study by geneticists who examined the graves of ‘stolen’ newborns dispels the notion of organized trafficking rings between 1950 and 1990. Instead, they point at Francoist centers for single mothers who pressured them into giving babies up for adoption A new study by geneticists who examined the graves of ‘stolen’ newborns dispels the notion of organized trafficking rings between 1950 and 1990. Instead, they point at Francoist centers for single mothers who pressured them into giving babies up for adoption Francisco Franco Madrid Antena 3 Alfonso Cabeza Valle de Cuelgamuros Pepe Olivares (EL PAÍS) bebés robados An exhumation at Alicante cemetery for an investigation into alleged stolen babies, in January 2012. An exhumation at Alicante cemetery for an investigation into alleged stolen babies, in January 2012. <img src="https://images.english.elpais.com/resizer/v2/PGIKFLSP55H3DCG6NXMNDLAR3Y.jpg?auth=65a587633a66d72aa8ed7dbd303a6ece84f424d004d0f9d8dbd92cabcc2687ba" width="2850" height="2103" alt="An exhumation at Alicante cemetery for an investigation into alleged stolen babies, in January 2012."></img><p>A team of forensic geneticists who examined the graves of newborns allegedly stolen in Spain during the Franco regime has <a href="https://www.fsigenetics.com/article/S1872-4973(26)00012-8/abstract" target="_blank" rel="" title="https://www.fsigenetics.com/article/S1872-4973(26)00012-8/abstract">published its findings</a> for the first time in a scientific journal. The five researchers, from the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences (INTCF), underscored that their data challenges “the widespread narrative of systematic theft” in hospitals and rejects “the conjecture, by now a hoax, about 300,000 cases of stolen babies in Spain.” </p><p><a href="https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2026-04-11/in-spain-forensic-experts-find-no-trace-of-alleged-baby-theft.html" target="_blank">Seguir leyendo</a></p><img src="https://images.english.elpais.com/resizer/v2/QBKDXN2JCNABVLDYDJADXNE5BY.jpg?auth=1930d8e29914b1dc505ec823857f4648b2e6d514a2efbfbe16bb82c775d751ef" width="3960" height="2640" alt="Geneticist Antonio Alonso, former director of the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences, in Madrid, on February 2."></img><img src="https://images.english.elpais.com/resizer/v2/RJYTEQTF6ZEXTOQNI6DHMSMVYQ.jpg?auth=eda62540df7391d18efcbaa12cc5dff40a17f12a2f971fd18a121fe7bb691e8e" width="4170" height="2760" alt="Lawyer Enrique Vila (right), with Antonio Barroso, co-founder of the National Association of Victims of Irregular Adoptions, in January 2011."></img><img src="https://images.english.elpais.com/resizer/v2/TPDRYIFV2FGHVFMZB5KD2NQCQ4.jpg?auth=d16a664dfa1634fe6ea9cca2fa653348c392f0b297b55701fe79fd0d24ef5bb9" width="3267" height="2178" alt="An exhumation at Alicante cemetery for an investigation into alleged stolen babies, in January 2012."></img><img src="https://images.english.elpais.com/resizer/v2/GOWFAE2CSVEO7JKX3WXRCHFYME.jpg?auth=3f1d28b947dbdd96191e6078a07cc800745aea9e235e5f06c4bf639935551ded" width="4500" height="2812" alt="Geneticist Manuel Crespillo, at the headquarters of the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences in Barcelona, ​​on February 2."></img>