FARSALA, Greece, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- A DNA test has confirmed that a Bulgarian Roma woman is the biological mother of a girl who was removed from a Roma camp in central Greece, authorities said.
The girl, known as Maria, is thought to be 4 years old. She was removed from the camp by Greek authorities after a DNA test found that the couple she was living with were not her biological parents, Ekathimerini reported.
On Friday, Bulgarian authorities confirmed that a woman named Sasha Ruseva, 35, is Maria's biological mother.
Authorities said this partially verifies the explanation given by the Roma couple in Greece, who said Ruseva gave the girl to them because she could not afford to keep her. The couple in Greece had been facing charges of kidnapping until Friday.
Greek and Bulgarian authorities are now investigating whether Ruseva sold the child. They will soon decide whether Maria will be returned to her mother in Bulgaria, the couple in Greece or whether another option will be sought.
Maria is currently being cared for by the Smile of the Child charity.
