teens

'One mistake gave me the best life': 18-year-old kidnapped at birth gives first interview.

Alexis Manigo, 18, was kidnapped from a Florida hospital shortly after her birth. Since then, she has been raised by her abductor Gloria Williams.

Following DNA testing that confirmed Manigo was not Williams’ biological daughter, the 51-year-old was arrested and charged with Manigo’s kidnapping.

Manigo is understandably struggling to process the news that both her biological parents and her name are not what she thought they were.

And now, in an interview with ABC News’ Good Morning America, Manigo has spoken for the first time about coming to terms with the truth about her upbringing.

Manigo has learnt that her birth name is Kamiyah Mobley and she met her birth parents last week.

“Your whole life you’ve been known as Alexis…and now it’s like people are referring to you as someone else,” Manigo said.

Manigo insists that Williams was a wonderful mother, despite her wrongdoing.

ADVERTISEMENT

“From that one mistake I was given the best life,” Manigo said. “I had everything I ever needed, wanted, I had love especially.”

“I understand what she did was wrong, but just don’t lock her up and throw away the key.

“She loved me for 18 years; she cared for me for 18 years.”

Manigo was happy to meet her birth family and give them a chance.

“When you find a new family, it’s just more love,” Manigo said.

ABC News reports that Manigo speaks to Gloria Williams daily and still refers to her as her mother.

“I still think of her as mum, she will always be ‘Mum’,” Manigo said.

Williams has been charged with both kidnapping Manigo and interference with custody.

She will appear in court again on the 8th of February.

00:00 / ???