Mother Torn By Baby Switch

Paula Johnson, a single mother who learned that her child and another were switched at the hospital three years ago, made her first public statement Tuesday. CBS News Correspondent Eric Engberg reports that it was in a roomful of reporters, whose presence showed how the sad story has gripped the nation.

Johnson broke down at several points, speaking of 3-year-old Callie, the little girl she has been raising. She said the discovery that the biological mother is someone else had only one effect.

"As much as I love Callie, I didn't think that I could love her more," Johnson said. "I didn't think it was possible, but it is. I mean, I love that child wholeheartedly, with all my heart. And there isn't anything in this whole world that I wouldn't do for her."

Johnson, 30, discovered after DNA testing for a paternity suit last month that Callie, the baby she took home from the University of Virginia Hospital, was not her own.

Investigators suspect Johnson's real daughter, switched at the hospital, is Rebecca Grace Chittum. Rebecca was recently orphaned when an auto accident killed her parents. Johnson has not yet met Rebecca, but has seen pictures of her.

Johnson said "that she was a beautiful child and that she looks like me." She said she is willing to give up Callie if that is what is best for this child.

Rebecca is in the care of relatives who wish to keep her. Negotiations aimed at deciding legal custody are well along Johnson's lawyer said, and all the families will meet soon, without the children.

"There is no reason to involve the courts if we can work out private agreements among the parties," said attorney Cynthia Johnson, who is not related to her client.

She also said that her client is waiting for results of an investigation by the university and state police before deciding whether to sue the University of Virginia.

Paula Johnson left open the possibility she might want to raise both children.

On Tuesday, the chief of staff of the hospital where the switch took place backed away from earlier claims by the hospital the switch could not have been an accident.

"Health care is a human activity. People make mistakes. We can't say that we're perfect," said Thomas Massaro.

Meanwhile, local police continue to investigate how such a mixup could happen and tear up the lives of two families.