Long Island man learns jaw dropping truth about his family after 60 years of nagging suspicions

For most of his life, Kevin McMahon couldn't explain why he felt like a stranger in his own home - almost like a guest in a family where he was supposed to belong.
Raised in Richmond Hill, Queens, Kevin remembers puzzled glances, stinging silences, and a grandmother's unspoken scorn that seemed to follow him.
It wasn't just that he looked different with darker eyes, olive skin, a face that didn't look much like others in the family photo - it was something deeper, harder to name and impossible to prove, reports the New York Post.
But in 2020, six decades after he was born at Jamaica Hospital in Queens, the suspicions that had nagged Kevin for most of his life were suddenly confirmed after his sister took a DNA test on a genealogy website.
What Kevin learned upended everything he thought he knew about his identity: he had been switched at birth with another baby boy, born just 45 minutes after him, with the same last name - and placed into the wrong family.
'It was like the missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle,' McMahon told the Post. '[It] explained everything about why my childhood was the way that it was.'
At the age of 64, McMahon has now filed a lawsuit in Queens Civil Court against Jamaica Hospital, accusing the institution of catastrophic negligence that tore two families apart before they had even left the maternity ward.
On May 26, 1960, Kevin McMahon was born at Jamaica Hospital. Just 45 minutes later so was Ross McMahon.
Both infants were tagged simply 'Baby McMahon.' Their birth certificates were even stamped with consecutive numbers.
And it appears that somewhere in the chaos of a busy maternity ward, someone made a terrible error.
According to Kevin's lawsuit, the mistake led to him being switched at birth, handed to the wrong parents, and growing up in a home where his presence seemed to be questioned from the very beginning.
Kevin's childhood was marked not just by confusion, but by cruelty too.
Family members, especially his grandmother, seemed to harbor an unspoken belief that he wasn't truly 'one of them.'
'She believed that I was not my father's child, and she was correct,' Kevin told the Post. 'It made me feel worthless. It destroyed my confidence.'
His appearance, darker and more Mediterranean compared to the fair-skinned, blue-eyed family who raised him, became an invisible line between him and a sense of belonging.
'I had certain interactions with my grandmother that were abusive, physically abusive, and I learned to fear her and just stay away,' Kevin recalled.
A chain of events soon unravelled the truth which began with a gut-held belief Kevin's sister, Carol Vignola, now 66.
'I was probably 7,' she told the New York Post. 'He was laying on his bunk bed without a shirt on... and I said, "Kevin, you came from the milkman."'
Even as a child Carol noticed Kevin didn't look like the rest of them.
She remembers confronting her mother, asking why Kevin's appearance was so different.
The response was sharp and immediate: 'Don't you ever speak like that, Carol. That's your brother.'
But the question never truly went away and in 2020, Carol submitted her DNA to Ancestry.com.
The results revealed she had a biological brother - someone she had never met, and that man was not Kevin but Ross McMahon.
When Carol showed the results to Kevin, he was in complete disbelief.
'[It was] like a shock reaction. I literally couldn't come to terms with the information,' he said. 'I thought to myself, "I'm nobody … I don't exist."'
Kevin took his own DNA test in January 2021 and confirmed that he was not biologically related to the family that raised him.
Instead, he had a different family and even a biological brother named Keith McMahon.
Additional blood tests confirmed what the DNA had already made plain.
Kevin and Keith were brothers. Carol and Ross were siblings.
The two 'McMahon' babies born on the same day had been accidentally swapped a horrifying mix-up hidden for decades under the matching last names.
Neither Ross McMahon nor Keith have spoken publicly about the case, and all four parents involved have now died never knowing the truth about their children.
Kevin can't help but wonder what his life might have been like had he grown up in the home that was rightfully his.
'I have a little bit of jealousy,' Kevin admitted. 'My [biological] father was Ross's biggest fan, always had his back. I would have loved to have that.'
Instead, Kevin endured a boyhood of doubt, discipline, and distance.
His supposed father, the man who raised him, never showed him the same warmth he extended to Kevin's younger and older siblings.
'I feared my father. I got hit a lot when I was a kid… I just thought my father didn't really care for me,' he said heartbreakingly.
Kevin's attorney, Jeremy Schiowitz, isn't letting the hospital off the hook and says Jamaica Hospital's failure to ensure proper infant identification is a betrayal that has permanently scarred two families.
'This wasn't a fluke. This was a preventable tragedy,' Schiowitz said. 'With the rise of DNA testing, we're going to see more of these stories come to light. Kevin's just happens to be one of the first.'
Kevin is seeking unspecified financial damages - but more than money, he wants an apology from the hospital and an acknowledgement that mistakes were made. So far, the hospital has not responded to his lawsuit.
'It makes them seem cold and heartless that they're not even coming across and acknowledging that this took place,' Kevin said.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

14 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Easy ginger shot recipe that can 'save your immune system' with 3 ingredients

A gut health expert who has been sharing his experiences on the Mediterranean diet for the last few years now, says there is an easy way to make energy shots at home. Gut health is currently a hot topic, with the focus on maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal system, including your stomach. According to the pros at Healthline, poor gut health can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, upset stomach and skin conditions. Therefore, it's crucial to nourish it with the right types of food and drink to keep your gut microbiome as healthy and diverse as possible. ‌ You've likely spotted various 'health shots' on supermarket shelves - small bottles of juice that claim to aid digestion and maintain gut health. ‌ But instead of spending a fortune on these, which can be quite expensive, you can actually whip up your own at home using just a few ingredients, reports the Express. Nutritionist Jordan Haworth aka @mrguthealth, who has been documenting his journey on the Mediterranean diet for several years now, says there's a simple way to create energy shots at home that are far cheaper than store-bought ones. In a video posted earlier this year, he demonstrated two versions - one for energy and one for recovery - with the first one made from just three ingredients. And if you're in need of a pre-workout boost or simply want to kick-start your day on a high note, then you'll want to try these out. All you have to do is take 100g of ginger, peel them and slice them very thinly. According to the experts at BBC Good Food, ginger is packed with anti-inflammatory properties, and studies indicate that it may help lower blood pressure as well. ‌ Ginger not only acts as a way to eliminate gas from your digestive system, but also soothes the intestinal tract. For a healthy boost, toss some ginger into a blender followed by 300ml of beetroot juice. The expert suggests that this juice is packed with nitrates which can enhance blood flow and stamina. ‌ Next, squeeze in the juice of one lemon, brimming with vitamin C that's crucial for cell health, radiant skin, strong bones, and healing wounds, according to the NHS. Blitz it all together to make six invigorating shots of this juice. The expert added: "We're not straining because we want to keep that prebiotic fibre." If you're looking for another energising drink post-exercise, the gut health guru shared a recipe for turmeric shots, noting: "Turmeric contains curcumin, which is anti-inflammatory, so it's great to take post-workout." ‌ To whip up this recipe, start with 100g of fresh turmeric, peeled and prepped for the blender. Grab 100g of peeled chopped ginger and 300ml of pineapple juice as well. The expert explained that pineapple juice is full of digestive enzymes and essential vitamin C. Jordan added: "Don't forget to add black pepper to activate the curcumin." Blending everything, he raved: "These will save your gut, your immune system and your bank account."

The Guardian

3 days ago

• The Guardian

Add pistachios to your meal prep: stay fuller for longer with this plant-based packed lunch recipe

Meal prep has a bit of a reputation – think bland chicken, limp broccoli, and plain rice. But it doesn't have to be that way. With the right ingredients, you can build something that holds its texture, delivers on nutrients, and still tastes good on day three. This grain bowl is a perfect example. Earthy pistachios, crisp red pepper, and naturally sweet red onion come together to create a meal that's both balanced and satisfying. With about 13g of plant protein and 11g of fibre each serving – much of it thanks to those nutrient-rich pistachios – it keeps you feeling full without the heaviness. Expect steady energy, a calm stomach, and less temptation to reach for that mid-afternoon sugar fix. Prep 10 minCook 25 minServes 3 portions 150g cooked quinoa or bulgur wheat 1 can (400g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed1 red pepper, diced1 courgette, diced1 small red onion, sliced1 tbsp olive oil ½ tsp smoked paprika 60g shelled pistachios, roughly chopped2 tbsp chopped parsley Juice of 1 lemon Salt and black pepper Preheat the oven to 220C (200C fan)/430F/gas 6. Chop your vegetables and combine on a roasting tray with the chickpeas, olive oil, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Roast for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven, then in a large bowl, mix roasted veg, chickpeas, and cooked grains. Add lemon juice, parsley, and pistachios. Toss well. Store in airtight containers; top with extra pistachios before serving. Learn more about pistachio benefits

Daily Mirror

3 days ago

• Daily Mirror

Cardiologist issues food advice to lower blood pressure in hours

A heart doctor says eating the right food is key and you can notice a difference in a matter of hours Munching on leafy greens might not seem as appealing as a biscuit, but such a tiny tweak to your eating habits could make a world of difference. And according to those in the know, tucking into a bit of spinach could be a game-changer. The often overlooked veg has the potential to lower your systolic blood pressure, and a doctor noted that improvements can be spotted within "hours" - and with "daily intake" it could work wonders. Speaking to Parade, Doctor Deepak Talreja, cardiologist and clinical chief of cardiology at Sentara Health, said: "Spinach may help lower systolic blood pressure, largely due to its rich content of dietary nitrates. ‌ "When we eat nitrate-rich foods like spinach, the body converts nitrates to nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes and dilates blood vessels." With your blood vessels in a more relaxed and widened state, blood can flow more effortlessly, decreasing the vascular resistance, which is essentially the resistance to blood flow in the veins and arteries. ‌ "This can lead to a modest reduction in systolic blood pressure," he said. He proceeded to cite several studies backing the effects of spinach on systolic blood pressure and highlighted one study in particular. He said: "A randomised crossover trial published in Hypertension found that a diet high in nitrate-rich vegetables such as spinach significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients, particularly when consumed regularly. "The effect may be seen within hours of consumption and can persist with daily intake. Regularly incorporating fresh spinach into meals - whether in salads, smoothies or sautés - can be a simple, natural way to support healthier blood pressure and overall cardiovascular wellbeing." Dr Talreja added: "While spinach alone won't replace medications or other proven treatments, it can be part of a broader dietary strategy aligned with the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) and Mediterranean diets - both of which are associated with lower cardiovascular risk." Rich in potassium, spinach also helps regulate sodium and blood pressure levels. Additionally, it is an excellent source of magnesium. As an antioxidant-rich food, spinach is high in vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, which can help mitigate the risk of damage and clogged blood vessels, as well as high cholesterol. ‌ The Hypertension study adds that beetroot juice is also a great example of a "single dose of dietary inorganic nitrate" that can reduce your blood pressure. They said that in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 68 people with hypertension were randomly assigned to drink either 250 mL of nitrate-rich beetroot juice or nitrate-free (placebo) juice every day for 4 weeks. Participants were either not on medication or already being treated for high blood pressure, and ranged in age from 18 to 85. Results showed that those who drank the nitrate-rich juice had significant reductions in blood pressure measured at the clinic, at home, and over 24 hours. These effects lasted throughout the 4 weeks with no signs of the body adapting (which they call "tachyphylaxis"). Additionally, blood vessel function improved by about 20%, and artery stiffness decreased. There were no changes in the placebo group. The researchers concluded: "This is the first evidence of durable BP reduction with dietary nitrate supplementation in a relevant patient group. These findings suggest a role for dietary nitrate as an affordable, readily-available, adjunctive treatment in the management of patients with hypertension (funded by The British Heart Foundation)."