UPDATES: Gloria Williams sentenced to 18 years in prison in 1998 baby kidnapping

PHOTO GALLERY: Who's who in the Kamiyah Mobley kidnapping case 

RELATED: Teen tells Gloria Williams 'I love you' in jailhouse letters

MUST-SEE PHOTOS: Evidence in Kamiyah Mobley abduction case

6:30 p.m. update: The judge imposed an 18-year sentence on Gloria Williams for the first charge of kidnapping and five years for the second charge of interfering with custody. Both sentences will run at the same time and Williams is getting credit for 511 days of time served.

However, Action News Jax Law and Safety expert Dale Carson said it’s possible Williams could get out of prison sooner depending on her behavior.

“Typically in a circumstance like this, she’ll serve 85 percent of the time -- or roughly 15 years. Still that’s a long time to be in custody,” said Carson.

Following the sentencing, Shanara Mobley was visibly relieved. She smiled and hugged the person sitting next to her.

Williams’ supporters sat motionless after the hearing ended. They stared at the judge’s bench as people filed out of the courtroom.

The entire hearing lasted less than five minutes.

Mobley’s biological father spoke about moving on and healing. His mother Velma Aiken, Mobley’s grandmother, also spoke with the media.

“Thank God and we’re glad it’s over with where I can start my grandmama days and love my grandbaby,” said Aiken.

It’s unclear if Mobley will be able to contact Williams while she’s incarcerated. Prosecutor Alan Mizrahi said he doesn’t believe there’s any legal prohibition for their contact.

Carson said Williams waived her right to appeals after she pleaded guilty to both charges back in February.

11 a.m. update: Kamiyah Mobley's father Craig Aiken thanked God for the safe return of his child and the Jacksonville community for its support after Kamiyah's kidnapper was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

The judge said Gloria Williams' sentence reflects how long Kamiyah's parents were without their child after the 1998 kidnapping.

Aiken said there are no winners in this case. He said he wants to focus on mending his family and supporting his daughter.

Full statement: "I first would like to thank God for the safe return of my daughter Kamiyah. I knew walking into this morning that there would be no winners in this situation. Despite today's sentence I would like to deal with the emotional toll this ordeal has taken on my family. At this time, I choose to remain focused on mending my family together through this situation. I believe now that this is over we can continue on our journey of healing together as a family and supporting my daughter with her decision-making. So at the end of the day, I would like to say thanks to the prosecutor, the investigators, Duval County and all my supporters and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for bringing my baby home. I just say hopefully we can bring home more kids. Hopefully this situation helps other parents to get through their situation with their kidnapped kids and stuff like that. I just want to say thank everybody and appreciate the support and we're just going to go meditate on this for a little while."

Kamiyah's mother Shanara Mobley left the courthouse without comment after the sentencing.

Alan Mizrahi, a prosector in the Gloria Williams case, said he wasn't surprised by Williams' sentence.

He said he was not aware of any restrictions on Kamiyah seeing Williams in prison.

10:45 p.m. update: A judge sentenced Gloria Williams to 18 years in prison for the kidnapping of Kamiyah Mobley.

The judge said the sentence reflects how long Kamiyah's parents were without their child after the 1998 kidnapping.

10:44 p.m. update: The judge is addressing Williams. As part of her sentencing, Williams has agreed not to profit from her crimes while incarcerated.

"There are no winners and no losers in this case. This is a very sad case and many people have suffered," Judge Marianne L. Aho said.

10:40 p.m. update: The sentencing hearing for Gloria Williams is underway in Jacksonville.

10:10 a.m. update: Kamiyah Mobley's biological father and grandmother just entered the courthouse ahead of Gloria Williams' 10:30 a.m. sentencing.

Also in court are Kamiyah's mother Shenara Mobley, grandmother and great grandmother.

During sentencing hearings in May, Williams apologized to Kamiyah Mobley's parents for taking their child.

How we got here: Background of the case

Williams raised Mobley as her own child in South Carolina under the name Alexis Manigo. In January 2017, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office stunned the nation when they announced Mobley was found in South Carolina. Williams was arrested, jailed and eventually extradited to Jacksonville.

Williams pleaded guilty in February. During sentencing hearings in May, Williams apologized to Mobley's parents for taking their child.

Williams' sentencing is expected to begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday.

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