Teenager abducted as a newborn begs for her kidnapper ‘mum’ to be spared prison time
18-year-old Alexis Manigo had no idea her mum, Gloria Williams, was not her real mum - but a nurse who stole newborn Alexis from a hospital before raising her as her own daughter.
Now, Gloria is facing court charged with the serious crime of kidnapping. If convicted, Gloria could face jail time and Alexis is pleading for mercy.
Gloria is alleged to have told Alexis’s parents that the 8-hour-old baby needed to be checked over, before leaving the hospital with her. It is believed that Gloria had recently suffered a miscarriage.
In an interview on Good Morning America, Alexis told her side of the story.
'She loved me for 18 years, she cared about me for 18 years. I just want people to realise that.
'She made one mistake, but I was loved. From that one mistake I was given the best life.
'I had everything I ever needed, wanted, I had love especially. There is no price you can put on the love that was given to me.'
Speaking of her biological parents, who she has now met for the first time 18 years later, she says she wants to give them a chance.
'I feel like I do owe them that, to give them a chance, get to know them,' said Alexis.
'When you find out you got another family out there, it's just more love.'
Born 'Kamiyah Mobley', but having lived 18 years as 'Alexis Manigo' says she doesn't mind what name people use for her.
Alexis apparently discovered she was not Gloria’s daughter when she asked where her birth certificate was when applying for a job.
Unable to avoid answering the question, she confessed to having taken Alexis from the hospital as a baby.
Despite everything, Alexis is determined to stand by Gloria.
'They want me to hate her, and it's not in me to,' she says.
’I will always love her.'
