Jacksonville family elated after child found 18 years after abduction

The family of a newborn abducted from a Jacksonville hospital 18 years ago feels like their prayers have been answered.

Kamiyah Mobley, who went by a different name, was found Thursday night in South Carolina.

She was abducted on July 10, 1998, hours after she was born at University Medical Center, which is now UF Health Jacksonville.

Photos: Kamiyah Mobley found living under name Alexis Manigo

Action News Jax spoke with Mobley's biological grandmother, Velma Aiken, shortly after the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office provided an update Friday.

She said she was elated by the news and that she had been praying for the day of her granddaughter's return.

Aiken said she saw her granddaughter via Facetime Friday morning.

"She was so glad. She told her momma that she looked like her daddy," Aiken said. "She sounds so intelligent and she said she'll be here to see us."

Mobley's biological father said he also held onto hope despite the circumstances.

"There's always hope. Everyday when you get up, there's hope. When I woke up this morning, she woke up, too."

Shanara Mobley, the mother, spoke with Action News Jax in 1998 after the abduction.

"I just want you to bring my baby back. That's all I'm asking," she said. "That's all I want, is my child back."

In Walterboro, South Carolina, officials found a young woman with the same date of birth -- but with a different name and phony documents.

Officials said they took DNA of the woman in South Carolina and compared it to the DNA taken from the missing newborn. The results came back Thursday night as a match to the missing newborn, Kamiyah.

Gloria Williams, 51, was arrested as a suspect Friday morning at her home in South Carolina.

Police said Williams is charged with kidnapping and interference with custody.

There is no statute of limitations in the case and she could face life in prison, officials said.

She will be extradited back to Jacksonville.

Cox Media Group