She bought a Reborn Doll — incredibly lifelike baby dolls — for her 27th birthday and quickly felt her maternal instincts kick in. Kelly Cunningham / CATERS NEWS “I just couldn’t help but ...

Maddie, 19, a mom of two from the UK, says people have called her "crazy" for raising her Reborn Doll, Forrest, as a real baby alongside her human daughter, Ophelia, 18-months.

Those who care for startlingly realistic 'reborn' dolls often come up against fierce criticism, but many may not realise that there's a heartbreaking reason behind these purchases, which are far ...