A COUPLE who helped TV investigator Roger Cook expose a babies for sale racket are nervously awaiting the results of DNA tests to see if they have traced a baby's real mother.
Pat and Steve Hampson, of Darwen, went undercover to expose the trade in babies which involved an agent in America, a lawyer in Guatemala, and a British social worker.
During the eight-month investigation, the couple travelled to Guatemala and were given baby Jonathan to adopt.
But investigations revealed irregularities in the baby's birth certificate and the couple were forced to hand the baby back to the authorities.
Now the Hampsons are awaiting the outcome of DNA tests on a woman who has come forward claiming to be Jonathan's real mother.
Pat said: "The lawyer, Juan Varela, produced a woman who said she is the baby's real mother.
"They have done tests and we are waiting for the results and then we will have to see what happens and if the woman really does want to give her baby up."
Pat and Steve are still hoping they may be able to adopt Jonathan, the boy they looked after for three days in May during filming for the Cook Report.
But they believe they have more chance of winning the Lottery.
In the meantime the couple, who have been married for 13 years, are still waiting for positive news from their doctor to say whether they have been accepted for IVF treatment.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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