Cheyenne Knasel, 16, grew up believing that Coriene Ilse had given birth to him, 10TV's Kurt Ludlow reported.

Authorities discovered that Cheyenne's biological mother was really Marie Davis when they tried to collect child support from John Knasel, who was supposedly the boy's father. Knasel denied paternity, and DNA tests showed he was not Cheyenne's father.

Knasel also told authorities that Davis, not Ilse, was the boy's mother.

Authorities said Davis entered the hospital under Ilse's name so that Ilse could be listed as the mother on Cheyenne's birth certificate. Davis then gave the baby to Ilse to raise as her own, which also allowed Ilse to collect welfare benefits.

Davis, Ilse and Knasel are all charged with fraud and tampering with state documents. Ilse is also charged with Medicaid fraud and grand theft. All three were in a Union County courtroom on Monday.

Cheyenne told 10TV News he does not fault Ilse, whom he considers his mother, for the deception all these years that hid the truth about his birth.

"My mom Coriene, was helping Marie out by helping take care of me when she couldn't do it. And in my eyes, that's not wrong. It's like helping a friend," Cheyenne said.

The two women, who have remained friends, maintain that the baby swap 16 years ago was for Cheyenne's benefit and deny they intended to defraud anyone.

"We never conspired to do nothing," Ilse told 10TV News. "We was mixed-up kids that tried to do the right thing. We did it the wrong way, and I'm sorry about that."

All three adults will be back in court next month.

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