A woman who kidnapped a newborn girl from a Florida hospital and raised the child was sentenced to 18 years in prison on June 8, according to ABC News.
In July 1998, Gloria Williams, posing as a nurse, kidnapped the newborn daughter of a then 16-year-old Shanara Mobley at UF Health Jacksonville — at the time known as University Medical Center. Police found the daughter, Kamiyah Mobley, living with Ms. Williams in January 2017, nearly two decades after search efforts began. The girl was found under a different name, Alexis Kelly Manigo, in South Carolina, and thought Ms. Williams was her mother.
Ms. Williams was arrested in 2017 and pleaded guilty to charges of felony kidnapping and interference this year as part of a plea deal, according to the report. After receiving credit for time served, she was sentenced June 8 to 18 years in prison.
Ms. Mobley's attorney, Justin Bamberg, said in a statement to ABC News: "Kamiyah is now processing what it means for the woman she’s known as [her] mother to receive an 18-year prison sentence. However, she understands Gloria had to be held accountable for her actions. She also understands that her biological parents have the absolute right to view today as a joyous day. We can only ask that everyone respect her privacy, give her time to take things in, and continue to pray for the well-being of each and every person whose life has been touched by this almost 20-year chain of events."
Ms. Williams' attorney, Diana Johnson, said in a statement obtained by the TV station: Ms. Williams extends "her appreciation to everyone involved in her defense as well as all of the people who either wrote letters or appeared on her behalf."
"Though the sentence imposed today was more than we had hoped for, we appreciate the time and attention Judge Aho took to fully consider this matter," Ms. Johnson added.
Mackenzie Bean contributed to this report.
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