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Earlier this year, Gloria Williams, 52, pled guilty to kidnapping a newborn baby from a Florida hospital hours after she was born.

She raised the child as her own until, eventually, her secret was exposed. The story of Kamiyah Mobley, also known as Alexis Manigo, went viral, with people debating what type of punishment Williams should face for such a heinous crime. After all, from the looks of things it appeared that she really loved and cared for Kamiyah for 18 years.

Today, she received her punishment, 18 years in prison.

Back in 1998, Williams posed as a nurse, stole Kamiyah and moved her to South Carolina to raise her as her own.

Williams was arrested last year on charges of felony kidnapping and interference. At today’s sentencing, we learned that Williams will receive credit for the 511 days she’s already served.

Kamiyah was in attendance for Williams sentencing.

Her birth mother, who was also in attendance, left the courtroom smiling.

Kamiyah’s father did speak to the media about today’s verdict.

The Mobley family attorney Justin Bamberg said, the sentencing “closes a painful chapter for all involved. Kamiyah is now processing what it means for the woman she’s known as [her] mother to receive an 18-year prison sentence,” he said. “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.”

While Williams didn’t address the media, she expressed her appreciation to everyone involved in her defense and those who wrote letters or appeared on her behalf.

In court last month, Williams apologized to Mobley’s birth parents.

“I know I wronged you and I’m so sorry,” Williams said. “So many days … I wanted to pick that child up and say, ‘Let’s get in this car and go’ — I just couldn’t.”

 

SOURCE: MadameNoire.com

Article Courtesy of MadameNoire

First Picture Courtesy of imaginima and Getty Images

Second Picture Courtesy of Guy Cali and Getty Images

Video and Tweet Courtesy of Twitter and MadameNoire

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