Original subtitles

[♪♪♪]

[urgent knocking on door]

[turning locked doorknob]

[knocking urgently]

[knocking]

[man] hey, lexi.

What's wrong?

[♪♪♪]

what's wrong?

Everything.

I thought I knew exactly who I was.

Then now I find out... I ain't got a damn clue?

What you talkin' about?

It's just totally just... Messed up.

You wanna talk about it?

No.

[alexis narrates] this is my mama, gloria,

and I love her with my whole heart.

Everyone was excited about this pregnancy,

especially my grandparents...

...And my mom's boyfriend, charles.

A man ain't a man till he has a child of his own.

[sighing]

[gasping]

[gasping]

oh, my god.

Oh, lord, help me.

My mom kept her miscarriage a secret.

She kept going to work at the veterans' center

and pretending she was still pregnant.

Oh, hey, gloria.

I thought you'd be on maternity leave already.

When's that baby coming out, girl?

[♪♪♪]

[running footsteps]

-hey, girl... -Hey.

You're gonna hurt the baby, charles.

Okay, when's my baby gonna come, huh?

Soon, charles.

Mm...

This baby gonna make a whole new man outta me, right?

[gloria] I hope so.

-Mm.

[kissing]

okay, I gotta go to work.

All right, all right.

[smack]

[charles chuckles]

[♪♪♪]

[newborn babies crying]

[♪♪♪]

[babies crying]

[gasping]

she's beautiful.

Yes, ma'am, she sure is.

Her name kamiyah.

I've been doing this a long time,

and I can see how tired you are.

Give her to me.

Yes, there we go.

Yes...

Hello...

Hello.

Yes...

How about I help you get into a clean gown, hmm?

Come on.

There we go.

[♪♪♪]

okay.

There we go.

Thank you.

Let's get you back into bed.

[♪♪♪]

yeah, that's better, right?

-Thank you. -Yeah, you're welcome.

Up, up, up...

There we go.

Okay, you want to drink a whole lot of water.

I'm tryin'.

You see that right there?

That's what you gonna have to do.

Nursing will get easier.

The more she sucks,

the more your milk will come down.

Really?

I felt like she ain't getting nothin'

when they put her on my breast after she came out.

Here, let me see.

Come here, shh, shh, shh, shh...

[baby crying]

shh, shh, shh, shh, shh...

There we go, there we go.

I know you hate to be away from her

even for a second,

but we keep the thermometers in the nursery.

I'll be gone 15 minutes,

and then I'ma bring her right back,

and y'all can keep getting to know each other, okay?

-Okay. -All right?

In the meantime, new mother,

get yourself some rest, okay?

I'll be right back.

Okay.

Oh, there she is!

Hold on, now, grandmama just got here.

I don't wanna wait another minute

to see my grandbaby.

Oh, my god...

She's gorgeous.

Just look at those lashes.

You know, it's killing craig that he can't be here.

This baby is his new start.

Aw, give her to me.

Wait, um...

I'll be right back.

Just...

[♪♪♪]

um, hello, uh, did a nurse just bring my baby down there?

This is shanara mobley.

Yes, I'll hold.

She's not down there.

They're checking the other nursery.

[♪♪♪]

[phone clatters]

my... My baby.

My baby!

Yo, yo, what's up, what's up?

What's up, bruh?

Lookin' sporty, bruh, huh?

What's up, cuz?

Hey, man, it ain't Sunday.

Craig, have a seat.

A'ight, what's up, chap?

You've been blessed with a baby daughter.

[laughing]

[laughing in delight] whoo!

Ha ha!

[chaplain] craig, your baby girl is missing.

Y'all gotta let me out.

Get me up outta here.

I gotta be there for shanara,

and my mama!

Come on, chap.

What the-- come on! Bruh! Chap!

[♪♪♪]

[news report] jacksonville central hospital

remains on lockdown tonight

as dozens of sheriff's officers

and fbi agents

comb through every corner of the large medical complex

for a missing baby girl.

Kamiyah mobley disappeared from her mother's arms

when she was just hours old,

making every mother's worst nightmare a reality

for this young mother, shanara mobley.

[sobbing] please!

Please bring my baby back to me!

If you don't have no kids...

I mean, how do you think I feel?

That's our first child! -[baby crying]

that could be my only child!

Please, please, please, bring my baby back to me!

Kamiyah is mine!

Bring kamiyah back to me!

I don't do nothin' to nobody!

[anguished sobbing]

[♪♪♪]

[father] I can't wait. I'm sure she'll...

Oh, here she is! -[mother] girl!

Oh, my god!

[all exclaiming]

oh, gloria.

Oh... -My goodness.

Watch her head.

Oh, look at how beautiful.

She looks just like you did.

[father] poor girl.

Daddy.

Oh, my god, look at her.

Sit down there, mama.

Hi, sweetness. Oh...

You didn't have to do this by yourself.

Why didn't you call anybody?

I mean, I went into labor at work.

I mean, it's 80 miles from here.

I didn't have no insurance,

so they rushed me to the er,

and she just popped out.

She's an angel, isn't she?

[sister] yes, she is.

Charles know he got a beautiful daughter?

Yeah, I mean, I called.

I... I left word.

Somebody will tell him.

But you know how it is, for most men, though.

They don't feel like a baby is real

until she can fetch his slippers.

Tell me.

Ain't that right?

Come on.

[mother] oh, she is so beautiful.

[gloria] give her to me.

Oh, my gosh.

Look at the baby.

That's my baby.

[kissing]

I love you so much, baby.

Mama loves you so much.

[news report] the fbi has run down over 3,000 leads...

I want the kidnappers to know

we are determined to find that baby.

[craig on news] all those people out there,

talking about us,

hinting we might have done this,

you know, the cops cleared us right away,

even though we always felt like they saw us as suspects,

but, you know, at the end of the day,

our baby is still out there.

She's still gone.

[shanara] it beats you up, not knowing nothin'.

I wonder, "what is she like?

What kind of food is she eating? Is she safe?"

I just want my baby back--

[turning tv off]

-bruh. -Yo.

How you gonna tell me jordan better than magic?

-Greatest of all time, son. -Child, please.

I don't even know why you come over.

Child, please.

Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa...

[car approaching]

what's the difference between a baby mama and a dog?

[baby crying] -shit!

What the hell, charles?

Come here, baby, come here, come here, come here...

-[crying] -oh, no, no, no.

You okay? -[crying]

the fan is right there.

This is how you watch your daughter?

You said having a kid was gonna make you responsible,

when it's not. You ain't never gonna grow up.

Watch it, girl.

You don't talk to me like that.

You know what, charles?

I'm done.

Get out.

All y'all get out.

You too!

Get out.

[alexis] and just like that,

my mom was done with charles.

And stay out.

She wasn't gonna have anyone putting me in danger...

No exceptions.

You're okay. Come on.

My mom showered me with attention,

especially since she lost her boys

in a custody battle,

so I was her obsession,

but I didn't mind.

Most of the time, I felt blessed.

[choir singing inside]

♪ we are travelin' ♪

[congregation cheering]

♪ in the footsteps ♪

♪ of those ♪

♪ who've gone before ♪

♪ but we'll all ♪

♪ be reunited ♪

♪ on a new ♪

♪ and sunlit shore ♪

♪ oh, when the saints ♪

♪ go mar... ♪

♪ go marchin' in ♪

yes, yes, yes. [applause]

♪ yeah, yeah... ♪

[applause and whistling]

god is speaking through you.

Yes, he is.

You know, I wanna do something a little different today.

All right.

Today I wanna single out one very special volunteer,

a woman whose service to god

literally keeps this church running.

Sister gloria bolden.

[applause and cheering]

amen!

Sister gloria is our best youth group leader...

-Amen! -Oh yeah.

She runs our chapter of united methodist women...

Yeah.

...And she just agreed

to organize a motorcycle ride

to benefit victory house,

our vets' organization, that we all love so well.

[applause]

please stand, sister gloria bolden.

[applause]

come on, baby.

[cheering]

[chuckling]

that's my mama!

[laughter and applause]

[applause and cheering]

mama? Daddy? There you go.

Hey, mama, where mine?

I only got two hands, girl.

Go on over there and get you some ice cream.

-You better run. -You're dead wrong.

[sister] you looking good today.

What are you talkin' about?

You know what I'm talkin' about.

I swear I don't.

I could feel the heat.

Girl, please.

From the seat behind you, I could feel the heat.

-What are you talkin' about? -Come on. Come on, now.

Miss gloria, I just wanted to say I think it's wonderful

what you do for the church.

Thank you.

Um... Can I say,

you have the voice of an angel.

[chuckling] well...

Aw, thank you.

I'm wernoskie williams.

Wernoskie?

But everybody calls me "oskie."

oskie, okay. That, I can remember.

Nice to meet you. -Nice to meet you.

I haven't seen you around here before.

Well, I'm new, but I plan to stick around.

-Do you, now? -Mm-hmm.

[alexis] funny thing,

watching your mom flirt with a guy.

I wanted her to be happy,

but it had been just the two of us for so long,

I wasn't sure if I was ready to share her.

[girl] that your mama?

Is that your daddy?

I think they like each other.

[laughing]

yeah. I guess so.

You got a dad?

He been gone for a while now.

You got a mom?

His ex-wife...

So you know what that means.

If I know my dad,

you and I might have to like each other.

You okay with that?

[alexis] arika seemed to know

exactly what was going on,

while I was clueless.

I'd always wanted an older sister,

a confidante,

but something about her intimidated me.

[♪♪♪]

[chuckling]

-so... -Mm-hmm?

Are you nervous?

Of course I'm nervous.

Why?

I want to make a good impression.

My family is gonna love you, just like I do.

How about that?

[oskie] yeah, I hope so.

[gloria giggling]

[kissing]

[giggling]

mama, daddy!

I want y'all to meet somebody.

This is oskie.

[mother] well, hello.

♪ here you are ♪

♪ some kind of miracle ♪

♪ whoa, whoa, whoa ♪

[kissing]

♪ some kind of miracle ♪

♪ whoa, whoa, whoa ♪

[alexis] so much for it being just mom and me.

Our family had now doubled in size.

[gloria] my god, so what are you sayin'?

[oskie] I'm saying,

arika feels you expect more from her

than from alexis.

'cause I do expect more from her.

She's older, she's a mother,

she needs to be more responsible.

[oskie] arika works for everything she has,

clothes, pocket money, baby stuff.

You hand that girl whatever she wants.

She's spoiled,

and that's not good for a young girl.

[gloria] I know.

Okay, I just...

I want her to focus on her studies

so she can have a better life than me.

Every road is hard.

She's got to learn that,

and she ain't gonna learn if you keep babying her.

[alexis] like all families, we had our troubles,

but listen...

My family always know how to have a good time.

[♪♪♪]

okay!

Now, come on, stop playin',

before the food get cold,

come on, come on, come on.

Come on, come on...

This cake is delicious.

My piece is just too big.

Now, that's your second big piece...

[laughing] you gotta slow down.

Honey, I've been meaning to ask.

How did that interview at work go today?

He said I needed a college degree for the job.

I work hard all these years just to hear

that I'm not educated enough for a promotion?

I mean...

That just ain't right.

That is not fair.

Mom, you probably know more than anybody else in that place.

No, it's not,

but I've made a decision.

I'm going to college.

Baby...

You all right with that?

Well...

I guess I got me a college sweetheart.

[everyone laughing]

aw, yeah, you do, come here. Aw.

I'll drink to that.

Will you carry my books home from school?

You bet.

[laughter]

[alexis] I had no idea

that those good times would end so soon.

[crowd murmuring]

[♪♪♪]

all rise!

Be seated.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

my only daughter is turning 16 today,

so I figured lunch... And a day of retail therapy.

-Ooh! -Gimme some!

[laughing] okay.

You done messed up now, ma, you done messed up.

[laughing]

no, you better just shop on the sale rack,

that's what you better do.

Aw, nah... [laughing]

[kids laugh and play in distance]

[alexis] shanara never gave up.

Every July, she celebrated my birthday

with a cake,

always wrapping up a piece for me.

By the time they found me,

there were 18 pieces of cake sitting in her freezer.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[kids laugh and play in distance]

[gloria] oof, I'm stuffed.

[alexis] mom, look at this free sample.

Think this is gonna cause a riot?

I think if that lipstick is on your lips,

and you in my house, it's gonna definitely be a riot.

Put it back.

But I'm tryin' to be a little spicy...

-Oh... -And you won't let me.

Because you are not spicy, all right?

You sweet. You my sweet bae.

A little bit of hair, a little bit of paint--

"makes a woman what she ain't.

A lady."

and you not a lady yet.

You still my baby.

A little grown.

No.

-A little-- -no--

how y'all doing, lexi, miss gloria?

Honey, how you feeling?

Susie, you gonna drop the baby on your shift?

It's my last week.

Can I have your job?

[susie] hell, yeah. Let me ask alex.

Uh-uh.

Grades, that's what you need to be focused on.

You don't have time for a job.

Yes, ma'am,

but you know how much I want my own money.

For what?

I buy you everything you need.

Look at all these bags!

That's beside the point.

-Mm. -Please?

What's the point?

The point is, I want to get it for myself.

A'ight, alex says

that you know the customers and this menu

better than me,

and despite that mouth of yours,

everyone loves you.

If you want this job, it's yours.

Ma, please.

Okay, but if your grades suffer, you're fired.

Yes, ma'am. Okay, cool.

Bring us two sundaes with extra hot fudge.

We celebrating her birthday.

Happy birthday, lexi.

-Thank you. -The sundaes are on us.

I'll get your uniform,

but you gotta bring in your social security card

before you get started.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Thank you, thank you.

Oh, my god, I love you so much.

You're welcome.

I gotta tell everybody I got a job.

[♪♪♪]

I'm about to have all my friends at shonda's.

You can come too. I'll sneak you some food.

Just can't be greedy, though.

[laughing]

my first paycheck, I'm decking my nails out.

♪ you and me ♪

♪ go together like harmony ♪

♪ there's nothin' better than what we have ♪

come on, pick it up, ma!

♪ and that's l-o-v-e ♪

♪ you and me... ♪

what's wrong with you, lady?

That's our song.

You can't take that job.

Are you serious?

You can't have that job, baby.

You can't... You can't have any job, okay?

Not right now.

Go in there and take this back.

Why, though?

I got something I need to tell you.

Ma, what's going on?

I did something.

I did something bad.

You might think it's unforgivable.

Ma, you're scaring me.

[mizrahi] ms. Mobley,

how old were you in late 1997, early 1998?

15.

And did you have a relationship

with a craig aiken?

Yes, I did.

[mizrahi] did you become pregnant

from that relationship with mr. Aiken?

Yes, I did.

[mizrahi] what were your first thoughts

when you found out you were pregnant?

I was happy.

I felt like

god gave me a chance to straighten up,

so I had a reason to.

[crying]

[shanara sobbing]

you take your time.

No one will be rushed in this courtroom.

[shanara crying]

you know how they say

people don't change overnight?

Well, that's not true.

I was a teenager, runnin' away, havin' fun,

and one night

I was takin' a nap on my uncle's floor,

and I woke up, and I was just like,

"I don't want to run the streets no more."

I wanted to do better.

I was pregnant, but I didn't... I didn't know it yet.

You're not my daughter.

I took you,

a long time ago--

no, I said I wasn't gonna say "took."

I stole you.

What the hell?

Ma, you know this ain't funny.

That's you.

[♪♪♪]

whoa, what?

Ma, what is this?

I don't even know who you are anymore.

Yes, you do.

I'm the woman who raised you.

I'm the woman who loves you.

All these years.

Did everybody know except me?

No. Nobody knew.

Not even oskie.

I mean, I guess I gotta tell him now, but...

Yeah, you go ahead and do that.

Wait a minute, let me finish talking to you!

Wait!

[insistent knocking]

hey, lexi.

What's wrong?

I thought I knew exactly who I was.

Then now I find out... I ain't got a damn clue?

You want to talk about it?

No.

Not now.

I just really needed to see you.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[alexis] I needed someone to lean on,

and swerve, he was always there for me.

I mean, we loved each other as friends,

but at that moment, we became more.

[♪♪♪]

...More than friends.

[♪♪♪]

[sobbing] I had just lost my baby,

and I thought I was--

that was somebody else's baby!

You didn't think to tell me?

You didn't think you owed me that?

I'm sorry. Listen...

Please just listen to me.

I was just trying to protect you--

-no! No, no, no, no-- -yes!

You were trying to protect yourself!

This is so unlike you.

I can't believe-- [door opening]

but I can fix this.

I can make this right. -No!

I will call the police and turn myself in!

Okay, yeah-- -[alexis] what?

-I can, um-- -oh...

No! Ma, you can't do that.

Baby, I have to.

Ma, please, please.

No, ma, ma, ma.

I hate the fact that you lied to me--

I'm sorry.

But you still my mom.

Oh, baby.

I don't care about that other family.

You're all I know.

Ma, please, just think about it.

We can-we can go into hiding, we can run away.

I can come with you. Ma, please.

What kind of life would that be?

I can't live without you!

You have--

listen, I'm going to pray about this.

-Ma, no! -I am gonna--

ma, just think about this, please!

[oskie] stop it!

That's it.

You're my wife.

I made a vow.

I love you,

and I'm going to stand behind you.

Oh, I love you too.

Oh, god, thank you.

Oh, thank you...

[alexis] we loved her, so we made a silent pact.

We'd live with this secret and hope for the best,

but a dark cloud settled over our family.

[♪♪♪]

you need to talk?

[chuckling]

lettin' me off the hook, huh?

Hey.

You know you can talk to me about anything.

I know.

Okay.

[alexis] I wasn't mad at her,

at least not yet,

but I wondered,

"how did she kidnap me?

Did she take the stairs?

What color scrubs was she wearing?"

but I couldn't ask her any of those questions.

She had enough to worry about.

[♪♪♪]

[swerve] light me up.

[alexis] hold on. I got you.

[gloria] alexis manigo!

Are you crazy?

Huh?

This boy got you skipping school now?

Go!

What the hell is wrong with you?

I didn't even skip school.

I just left early, that's all.

Don't fix your lips to lie,

'cause the school already called me at work,

and told me that not only were you cutting class,

but you done dropped all your honors classes,

and now they wanna know if everything is okay at home.

[alexis chuckles]

you tell 'em I gotta get high all the time

'cause that's the only way I'ma deal with the fact

that you stole me?

[sighing]

I'm sorry, ma.

It's just too much for me.

So you're smoking weed?

Is that all you're doing?

Answer me. Is there anything else?

[alexis] no.

But I ain't lettin' it go.

Oh, god.

Lord.

Lord jesus, help me at this time--

[scoffing] ma, what are you doin'?

Nothin' is funny. I'm praying.

We need god to give us a miracle.

Sit your behind down and pray with me.

Come on.

Lord, please bless my family,

and please deliver them from the mistakes I made.

Let them...

Oh, jesus.

Just bless them, lord, please.

[♪♪♪]

[typing]

[shanara] it's stressful to wake up every day

knowing your child is out there,

and you have no way to reach her,

and it beats you up not knowing nothin'.

[alexis] I tried not to think

about who I came from,

but curiosity got the best of me.

I stalked them online, read their posts,

wondering if we'd ever be sisters, or even friends.

I really wanted to be close to them,

but the thing was

I worried how I could love another family

without giving up the one I got.

[keying in number]

[call ringing]

[telephone ringing]

hello?

Who is this, please?

[beeping phone off]

[dial tone]

[♪♪♪]

what are you doing up?

You okay?

I'm so tired,

but I can't sleep.

Look... I know I've been a bitch lately,

and I'm sorry.

This kid thing is intense.

I don't sleep.

I can hardly stand myself, so I get why you avoid me.

No.

You're fine.

I'm just goin' through some stuff...

Everything okay with gloria?

Makes me jealous,

how she gives you everything you want.

You all think I'm spoiled,

that I don't want to work.

[chuckling]

honestly, I thought... You were allergic to it.

I'm desperate to work.

I just can't.

Why not?

I don't have my paperwork,

birth certificate, social security...

You can't work without it.

What's up with that?

Why can't your mom get you the papers?

Come on, we're sisters.

Anything you say stays right here, I promise.

[♪♪♪]

[arika] tell me.

She's not my mom.

What, are you adopted or something?

'cause that ain't no--

because she took me.

Stole me from a hospital from my birth mom.

Oskie knows.

We're so scared that somebody's gonna find out.

Oh, you poor baby.

Now I gotta carry around this secret,

and it weighs a damn ton.

If someone stole my baby,

I don't know what I'd do.

I'd lose my mind.

[dial tone]

[keying in number]

[call ringing]

[cell phone vibrating]

hello?

Happy birthday, kamiyah.

Why do you think it's my birthday?

[beeps phone off]

[dial tone]

[beeps phone off]

[sighing]

[phone clattering]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

[playfully imitating car]

can your car do tricks?

What kind of tricks can you do?

Arika williams?

Detective wilson, florida state police.

What's this about?

We received some information regarding your step-sister,

and we'd like to ask you some questions.

[mizrahi] can you tell the judge

what was going through your mind and your heart

when you first saw kamiyah again after all these years?

[shanara] oh, my god...

I saw me.

I mean, she don't look like me,

but everything about her is me...

The police want me to bring you in for a dna test.

No. No!

Sweetie, they not asking me.

Ma, you need to get up outta here.

The tone of her voice, her hair, the way she walk,

everything is just... Me.

[mother] how could you do something like that?

Let her talk.

I was in a dark place,

and, um...

But you were pregnant.

What happened to the other baby?

I lost it.

I had a miscarriage,

and I... And I took her.

What is done is done.

You're our daughter.

How can we help?

I need an attorney, daddy.

I'm in trouble.

Okay.

Lord help us.

[alexis] what happens now?

They come for me.

When?

I don't know, tomorrow, maybe?

The day after?

You know, I'm blessed, g,

to have someone like you love me

the way that you do.

Baby...

I will love you forever.

You know that, right?

Yeah, I know.

I need to get in the house and make some calls.

You know I've got to call your brothers.

Um...

Why don't you spend the night at swerve's tonight?

You sure?

Yeah. I mean, come back in the morning,

and I'll make a big breakfast.

No use in you sitting around here.

I'm sure they're gonna give us

till the weekend, at least.

Is it okay if I tell him?

You need to tell him.

You're gonna need him now.

[sirens wailing]

[kettle whistling]

[sirens approaching]

[♪♪♪]

[man] gloria williams!

Mrs. Williams, it's the police!

We have a warrant for your arrest!

Take it.

[banging on door]

[gasping]

[♪♪♪]

[news report] tonight, 51-year-old gloria williams

is behind bars,

facing charges for the kidnapping,

dna testing uncovering the truth,

alexis was in fact baby kamiyah,

snatched from a florida hospital in 1998.

[♪♪♪]

[banging on door] open up! It's the police!

[screaming, glass breaking]

alexis manigo, are you in there?

No, no, no, no...

[swerve] wait. Get back.

Alexis manigo?

Yeah, yeah, that's me.

We're going to need you to come down to the station.

Come see your mama,

say your goodbyes.

Gloria ain't her mother.

Get out of this house!

What, you won't give me the time to get dressed?

Damn, what's wrong with y'all?

Whose house is this?

It's mine!

I doubt that.

Where are your parents?

They're out of town, where you should be.

I could tell by your badge, y'all ain't even local.

This ain't legal.

Alexis, I'm detective rodney holly from florida.

I've been working this case for 18 years,

so I know you had nothing to do with this.

You just... Got raised by the wrong family.

Watch your mouth.

If you've been working this case for 18 years,

then you know I was raised in exactly the right family.

[holly] with all due respect,

your birth parents have waited a long time for this day.

You take all the time you need.

Clear out, give her some space.

[♪♪♪]

[alexis] where they at?

[holly] they're coming. It just takes some time.

Can you tell them to hurry up?

It just takes...

Here she comes.

[♪♪♪]

don't cry, baby.

I got you.

I got you...

[crying]

are you okay?

Did they hurt you?

I am fine, okay?

I was just worried that I wasn't gonna get to see you.

[sobbing]

don't cry, baby.

Ma, what are we gonna do?

What are we gonna do?

You are gonna live your life.

No...

And I am gonna put my faith in the lord,

and I'm gonna trust

that my attorney can figure out what's best.

Tell them that you gave me the best life possible.

Everything, everything I ever needed,

everything I ever wanted, everything I ever loved.

Baby...

You gotta stop worrying about me, okay,

and live your own life.

Listen to me, lexi...

I want you to behave...

And I want you to be respectful to your family.

Ain't nobody gonna tell me who my mom is.

Ain't nobody gonna tell me what to do,

and what to feel,

and you can't make me see somebody

I want nothin' to do with.

Try.

Think of them as your bonus family.

It's just more love.

Ain't nobody ever died from too much love.

[holly] five more minutes.

That's her meds and her glasses.

She needs both.

I'll make sure they're transferred to florida

with your mama.

[alexis] thank you.

I'm sorry, baby.

I'm sorry that your life got turned upside down...

But I want you to be okay.

If you need help,

I want you to get it.

You hear me?

Yeah. [crying]

[gloria] you hear me?

[sobbing]

I love you so much, ma.

I know.

I love you more.

You know that.

[door lock buzzes]

[♪♪♪]

[crying]

[sobbing]

[woman] hang on a second.

That is them. That's them.

[clamoring]

[alexis] thank god my cousin ta was there for me.

[man] kamiyah!

[woman] alexis, is that you?

Kamiyah, we just need a statement!

[alexis] she helped me escape the reporters...

Alexis, we just need a couple minutes of your time!

Just a few questions!

[alexis] ...And found me an attorney.

[alexis] no matter how hard I try,

I can't do it all.

I can't be everything for everybody.

That's my job.

You're about to face a tsunami.

The press, your new family,

your mom's needs.

Exactly.

That's why I need a job.

You'll get one,

but it'll take a little time to set up a brand-new life--

social security card, birth certificate.

Can you help?

I'd be honored to.

If alexis will have me,

and if she promises to do exactly what I tell her.

[chuckling]

I don't think she's ever made that promise before.

[chuckling]

okay.

I promise not to do anything without asking the boss first.

You got it, girl.

I'm taking over.

You ready?

I ain't got no choice.

Now, the press are in a frenzy.

We've got to get in front of the story,

control the narrative,

that's the only way they'll leave you alone.

Don't worry about that.

I got that.

That's the last thing I'm worried about.

I'm more worried about meeting my new family.

I can help with that, too.

If you need me, I'll be there.

Nah.

I gotta do that part on my own.

You ready, kiddo?

Here they come.

Kamiyah!

[crying joyfully] kamiyah!

Kamiyah...

Come here, come here, come here.

[shanara sobbing]

shanara. Craig.

[sobbing]

I've been looking for you.

[sobbing]

oh, I've been lookin' for you.

[sobbing]

look at you.

You're so pretty.

[sobbing]

my baby...

Daddy?

[craig] yeah.

We really are mirror images.

[craig] yes indeed.

Are you okay? Huh?

Port] alexis manigo

still calls the woman accused of kidnapping her as a newborn

"mom,"

that woman behind bars here in florida

in court today.

Alexis says even though some people think

she should hate her mom,

expect her to,

she doesn't, and won't.

I love my mom.

She will always be my mom.

Except for one mistake,

my mom gave me the perfect life.

I was blessed,

and I never had a reason to question that.

Well, you did us all proud, sweetie.

Thanks, grandma.

I'm still processing it all.

I understand it will take time.

I need to give my biological family a chance.

I owe them that.

[chuckling ruefully]

[turns off tv]

[keying in phone number]

[cell phone vibrating]

dna testing revealed alexis was in fact baby kamiyah

snatched from a florida hospital in 1998

when she was just eight hours old.

Hey.

[shanara] I just found you,

now I gotta watch you on tv

talking about a woman who stole you from me?

You belong to me, kamiyah.

Why do I have to compete with a kidnapper for your love?

That ain't fair to me.

I am so sorry.

I didn't mean to hurt your feelings at all.

You know I'm still coming down next month

to get to know y'all better.

Maybe we can work on our relationship then,

but as of now,

I'm just not ready to do what you want.

I gotta go. Bye.

[♪♪♪]

♪ I just want to have some fun ♪

♪ we came here to party ♪

♪ and we don't need to think too much ♪

♪ let's get it started ♪

♪ keep it goin' till the sun comes up ♪

♪ we came here to party ♪

♪ don't know if it's the lights ♪

♪ or if you're the girl of my dreams ♪

look at you, girl.

Where did you learn to dance like that, huh?

Yeah, come give your daddy some, huh?

Yeah...

Got all my daughters with me...

Unh-unh-unh...

I'm already tired.

You're getting me tired. Are you tired?

I'll go get you a beer, come on.

Come on, now, come on.

[♪♪♪]

yeah...

Got all my ladies with me here tonight.

Club is jumpin', bombs is poppin'.

We sure do know how to party down here in florida.

You know what I'm talkin' 'bout?

Show you how we do it round here in the 'ville, huh?

Yeah, I be a little turnt, just a little bit.

-Uh-huh. -[laughing]

shannon and I hope you move here one day.

So many opportunities for you here.

You know I'm a country mouse.

Look, I know you got a life there,

but you got a whole new life here, girl, huh?

Our family welcoming you with open arms.

Huh?

Come on, now, give us a chance.

Look, I need a photo of this.

I don't want to forget this night.

Hey, hey, cuz!

Hey, come on, man, take this picture, man.

[♪♪♪]

yeah.

[camera shutter snapping]

yeah, yeah.

That's what's up, girl.

♪ ...And I just wanna have some fun ♪

♪ we came here to party ♪

[shanara] you know all my kids

make the best macaroni and cheese.

You learn how to cook yet?

Oh, no.

I can order takeout like a champ, though.

[laughing]

you know, you'd be a fine cook

if you was raised in this family.

I could teach you a thing or two.

My grandma taught me everything I know.

[cell phone vibrating]

we're bondin', kamiyah,

and she's callin'?

You know, it's not right, you goin' on to the tv people,

talking about your mom this, your mom that.

I'm your mother, kamiyah, and I'm still hurtin',

so, baby, you're gonna have to pick one of us.

Wait...

If you expect me to stop loving her

just because you want me to love you,

look, I'm sorry, but that'll never happen.

You listen to me.

I don't want you talking to that woman again.

You hear me?

She's poisoning you against me, can't you see that?

Now, if I have to,

I'll get a court order to keep her away from you.

What?

Yes, I said it.

Yo, where do you think you're going--

[johnson] gloria, you understand,

if you take the prosecution's offer,

you give up your right to a trial?

So does this mean she goes to jail for sure?

Yes, it does.

For how long?

Maximum 22 years,

minimum 12 years.

No!

Baby...

Gloria,

if you reject the plea deal and go to trial,

you could get life in prison.

No.

I can't take that chance.

I won't take that chance.

Ma, just think about it.

[gloria] no.

I'm not gonna put you through the hell of a trial.

I'll take the plea.

[johnson] at the hearing,

we'll make the case

for the most lenient sentence possible.

[♪♪♪]

I just feel like a rope in a tug of war,

both sides just pulling on me

with... Love,

and demands on my time.

Throw in the damn media hounding me,

everybody around town talking about me...

I'm just sick of all of this.

I just wanna roll up in a ball and hide from them all.

Listen up,

this hearing's gonna be hard on you.

It's gonna be hard on everyone,

so prepare yourself.

I know.

Kidnapping is a serious crime,

and gloria's sentence has to reflect that

to deter others,

so even though she did a fantastic job raising you,

the judge can't just slap her on the wrist.

You understand?

I understand.

[crowd shouting]

how could she have so many supporters, craig?

She stole my baby.

That's right, mama.

What's wrong with people?

[crowd shouting]

[camera shutters clicking]

[shouting]

[mizrahi] let's go back to the hospital.

Did you think that gloria williams was a nurse?

She's beautiful.

Yes, ma'am, she sure is.

Her name kamiyah.

She was dressed like one.

[mizrahi] was she nice?

[shanara] she was real nice.

Proper tone and everything.

[gloria] I've been doing this a long time,

and I can see how tired you are.

Give her to me.

[mizrahi] did you trust her?

Ms. Mobley,

did you trust her?

Yes.

She asked if I needed help.

She came in,

picked up kamiyah, looked at her,

smiled...

I know you hate to be away from her

even for a second,

but we keep the thermometers in the nursery.

I'll be gone 15 minutes,

and then I'ma bring her right back,

and y'all can keep getting to know each other.

...And then she told me

that all new babies have to be checked for a temperature...

-Okay? -Okay.

All right...

In the meantime, new mother,

get yourself some rest.

Okay? I'll be right back.

...And eventually she was gonna have

to take her outta the room to be checked.

[♪♪♪]

ms. Mobley, has time healed these wounds?

[sobbing]

it doesn't heal now.

I have kids now, but...

I'm still hurting.

That is my baby.

I am your mother, kamiyah!

I am your mother,

and your name is kamiyah mobley!

[mizrahi] can any sentence

that the judge gives ms. Williams

change the 18 years

that you lost with your daughter?

There's only one sentence,

and I don't think she's eligible for that,

and that's death.

[crowd murmuring]

[crowd murmuring]

[camera shutter clicking]

mrs. Williams,

describe your relationship with charles manigo.

I, um...

I was always taught that if you love somebody,

they'll love you back.

That wasn't the case with charles.

He took me to a dark place...

You ain't never gonna grow up.

You see what I mean?

...And my soul and my spirit broke.

Get out.

I don't have the bruises anymore,

and thankfully, god has healed my heart, so...

When you were in that relationship with mr. Manigo,

did you become pregnant?

Yes, I did.

I already had two kids,

but... Charles wanted a baby.

He thought that it would, um...

It would make him stable.

I believed him.

I wanted to believe him,

but after the stress,

and the abuse...

Things, um...

They didn't turn out like we planned,

so...

[johnson] what did you do then?

I, um...

I was headed home from work,

and I got into walterboro, and, um,

I just, I just kept driving on 95 south.

It was like I was on autopilot.

[johnson] where were you going?

My life was out of control.

I had, um, lost custody of my boys,

I lost the baby I was carrying,

and me and charles...

I just...

I felt like I didn't... I didn't have anything,

and I couldn't tell anybody in my family,

because they looked at me

as this, you know,

upbeat kind of a person...

I just, I kept putting one foot in front of the other,

and nobody knew the nightmare that I was living.

[johnson] so, you get off the highway

at a hospital in jacksonville.

What was your intent at that time?

It definitely wasn't to take a baby,

that's for sure.

Did you choose shanara mobley

because of her age

and the fact that she was alone?

No, ma'am, I-I did not.

I-I didn't know whose bed I was walking up to.

I just...

I just saw her, and I...

[♪♪♪]

I thought she needed help.

[johnson] so even then,

you had no intention of taking the baby?

We was just talking,

and, um...

She was... She was so young, and...

...And she didn't know what she was gonna do...

And...

And, um...

I...

I just wanted the abuse

and the pain to stop with charles,

but...

It never did.

Mrs. Williams, is there anything

you would like to express

to the birth parents now?

Ms. Mobley and mr. Aiken, I, um...

I ask god every day

to renew your hearts,

and your minds,

to-to give you a peace

that comes with knowing his word.

I wronged you...

[sniffling]

and for that, I'm sorry.

I can't imagine what this has been like for you,

and I never...

I never meant to hurt your family,

but I know that I did, and...

And, um...

I just want you to know that...

I'm not a bad person.

I did a wrong thing,

and I hope that-- hope that one day

you can find it in your heart to forgive me.

Alexis--

kamiyah--

kamiyah, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry I hurt you, baby.

[justin] so? Talk to me.

She got me.

Mm-hmm.

We could talk about anything.

Whatever it was,

she'd give me the straight facts.

She was my number-one go-to.

I mean, like, now I have you...

Which is cool,

but it's not like you're always around.

Ta and swerve, they help,

but I don't know,

without my mom, I just...

Still feel alone.

I know this is really hard,

and I can't say it's all gonna come out

the way we want...

But it's time to start building your new life.

This should help.

Your new social security card.

Go ahead, open it up.

Kamiyah mobley.

I guess that's who I am now.

This crime was calculated and premeditated.

This woman,

who allegedly lost a baby months earlier,

drove all the way down to florida,

and just happens to find a hospital

right off the side of the road.

She goes straight to the maternity ward,

and finds herself a young mother.

She brought with her a car seat

and a baby bag,

evidence of a cold, calculated premeditation,

and that shows you the character of this woman...

[crowd murmuring] that's right.

...And that heinous crime continued

for 18 years.

It was a selfish act committed by a selfish woman,

and it destroyed a family,

and I urge this court

not to mitigate your sentence

because somehow gloria williams is a good person.

Gloria williams is not a good person.

You cannot be a good person

and kidnap a baby...

[♪♪♪]

okay. Okay, baby.

There...

[♪♪♪]

[crowd murmuring]

...And there is no way that you can restore

what this defendant stole

from shanara mobley and craig aiken...

...But your sentence can define the way our society views

the crimes that this defendant committed.

The state of florida

is asking for the maximum sentence

under the plea agreement

of 22 years in florida state prison.

[crowd gasping]

thank you, your honor.

[crowd murmuring]

your honor...

Looking at gloria williams' many accomplishments,

and her place of respect

in her church

and in her community,

especially what a wonderful parent she has been...

[♪♪♪]

...As is evidenced by the amazing young woman

that kamiyah mobley has become...

[gloria] I am not the only graduate!

My baby graduated today too!

Daddy, get our picture. -Uh-huh.

[camera shutter clicking]

-there, that's nice. -Ooh, now, come on, boys.

I want to take one with all my kids.

-All right. -Okay.

All right, say cheese.

Cheese!

...The defense is humbly asking the court

to impose a very reasonable

and appropriate sentence,

well below the maximum.

We thank the court for its time and understanding.

[judge] thank you.

This is a very unusual case,

and I'm going to consider everything

that's been presented here

to make sure that I am as thorough as possible.

Imposition of sentencing will be one month from now

on Friday, June 8th.

Court is adjourned.

[bailiff] all rise!

Be brave.

[cell phone vibrating]

ma... How are you?

Hey, baby. I miss you.

What's going on up there? Tell me everything.

Well, I'm workin'.

Which, by the way, sucks.

Big time.

Hmm.

Well, I got one word for that.

"college."

[chuckling]

you still swervin'?

Funny, ma.

Yeah.

What?

What's wrong, baby?

I just got so much pressure on me.

It's overwhelming.

You ain't here.

I gotta pay my own bills,

get health insurance...

I just hate being an adult in an instant.

Everything bugs me.

I'm becoming an angry bitch.

I keep telling you to get some counseling, girl.

It's no shame in that.

How are you?

You doing okay?

I just hate thinking about you in there.

I'm praying a lot,

and, um...

Tryin' to get these young ones in here

to learn from my mistakes.

How come you didn't call me on mother's day?

I... I wanted to give you time with your birth mother.

She's all you got in the world.

Did you see her for mother's day?

So, what did you get me for mother's day?

I'm so sorry.

Look, I've been super busy,

and plus I'm paying for everything now.

But I bet you had enough money to send a criminal a card.

[♪♪♪]

you are my mom.

I love you.

I will never love anyone else as a mother.

I can't just turn that off like a light switch.

I need to see you, and talk to you,

and they're trying to take that away too.

Did something happen with shanara?

I just don't want to see her,

not now, maybe sometime, but listen, not now.

Baby...

She's hurting, okay?

She's in a lot of pain,

but I promise you,

she's gonna come around.

Well, that's on her, okay, not me.

Okay, sweetie, um...

What else is goin' on?

Bring me up to speed.

You know I only got 15 minutes for these calls.

It can't be 15 minutes already.

Well, it is getting close,

so let's just talk as long as we can, okay?

I love you.

I love you, too, ma.

I'm gonna see you at the sentencing, right?

No, baby, um, you know what,

it's gonna be so quick,

I don't even think you should come

and put yourself through that.

Are you sure?

I'm sure,

and you can come and see me after.

I mean, I know it'll be hard with work and all, but...

Hey, I got paid.

So I put money on your commissary,

for mother's day.

That is...

That's just like you,

always thinking of others.

My time is up, baby, I gotta go.

I love you. Bye.

I have listened carefully to all the testimony.

At this time, ms. Williams,

would you proceed to the bench with your attorneys, please.

This is a very hard and emotional day.

There are no winners.

Many people have suffered,

including the defendant, gloria williams.

On the first count of kidnapping,

under florida law,

I'm sentencing you to state prison for 18 years.

Oh, no.

[scattered applause]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

on the second count,

interference with custody,

I'm sentencing you to five years in state prison.

[applause]

this family suffered

not knowing where their infant was.

Ms. Williams is awarded credit for time served of 511 days.

Your two sentences will run concurrently.

Ms. Williams, you have 30 days from today

in which to appeal the legalities

of this proceedings.

Court is adjourned.

[bangs gavel]

[bailiff] all rise!

[♪♪♪]

we'll get through this.

We'll get through this together, okay?

God loves you.

[♪♪♪]

you wanna scream?

Wanna throw something?

There's gotta be somethin' going on in there.

Yeah...

I think I lost my debit card. I need to find it.

[alexis] I knew it was coming,

but it hurt anyway.

Before this, I could always depend on my mom...

And now I was on my own.

I had to be strong and find my way without her.

So, what you gonna miss most about this place?

Yo, what you talkin' about?

I'm not going anywhere.

Yeah, you are.

You're getting the hell up outta here, lex.

It's time to start doing right for yourself.

People see that, they'll leave you be.

Who made you boss?

Look, be your own damn boss.

Get outta here, go to college.

Make a new life.

When I'm here,

and I close my eyes,

I see her.

I love that.

Look, these are just places.

The memories...

You can take those with you.

Hey, how are you?

[cell phone vibrating]

hey, nana.

What?

Okay, look, I'm on my way, I'm on my way, I'm on my way.

[heart monitor beeping]

grandpa, I don't know what I'ma do without you...

But I'ma be okay.

A'ight?

I promise.

I mean, you taught me...

You taught me how to live a good life.

So, like...

It's okay.

It's okay if you...

If you need to go right now.

I know that you love me,

and I love you so damn much.

[incoming call ringing]

there's my girl.

Hi, baby.

Ma...

How's it going, g?

The real question is how are you?

Right, and don't say "fine" or "okay,"

'cause I know it had to be hard losing your grandpa.

Yeah.

The hits just keep comin'.

Okay, well,

you talk to somebody.

As long as I'm talking to you, I'm feeling better.

Okay, well, you know, I don't have a lot of time,

so I gotta do my mom thing--

let me guess.

"go to church,

apply to college,

stay off weed,

practice safe sex..."

does that cover it all?

Okay, stop being a smartass.

What's going on with the applications?

Um...

I heard I could get a scholarship

to a college in florida, but...

I don't know if I wanna do that.

Okay, well, at least you'll be closer to me,

and to your birth parents.

How is that goin'?

You're my mom.

You will always be my only mom.

When I close my eyes at night, I see your face.

My daddy's okay,

though swerve tells me not to trust him.

Okay, well, I'm tellin' you to keep trying.

You hear me?

And wherever you end up for school,

get out of walterboro.

I want your life to be better than mine.

I'm determined to make you proud, ma,

but leaving here scares me.

It's not because I love it here,

but because...

This is where we shared our life together.

Yeah.

I wanna hang onto that.

Hold on.

Where'd you go?

You remember this?

Yeah, I do.

Best day ever,

and it's right here.

You got to go live your own life, lex.

Okay.

I only got a few minutes left, so, um...

Do me a favor?

Sing with me?

[chuckling]

hold on, I gotta, you know, get it together.

Clear my throat. Ahem.

♪ you and me... ♪

♪ go together like harmony ♪

♪ there's nothin' better than ♪

[together] ♪ what we have ♪

♪ and that's l-o-v-e ♪

♪ you and me ♪

♪ go together like harmony ♪

♪ there's nothin' better than what we have ♪

♪ that's l-o-v-e ♪

[laughing]

I miss you, ma.

[gloria] I miss you more.

[alexis] I love you.

I love you too, baby. Be good.

♪ ...I know what makes my baby happy ♪

♪ you go out of your way to keep things tight, yeah ♪

♪ my joy is written all over my face ♪

♪ and it's because of you and your love so true ♪

♪ that my world is a better place ♪

♪ 'cause you and me, yeah ♪

♪ you and me go together like harmony ♪

♪ nothing better than what we have ♪

♪ what we have that's l-o-v-e ♪

♪ you and me ♪

♪ go together like harmony ♪

♪ there's nothin' better that what we have ♪

♪ and that's l-o-v-e ♪

[♪♪♪]

she loved me for 18 years.

She cared for me for 18 years.

I will always love her.

[reporter] it was a secret

that forever changed two families.

She says she's trying to find a balance,

a way to keep everyone she loves in her life.

Today, she goes by both names,

her family in florida calling her kamiyah,

her family in south carolina,

alexis.

She loves each family,

and trying to navigate that water

to make sure she's not in the middle of a feud, or...

She doesn't want to upset anybody.

She says she is optimistic,

ready to move on and move forward

with her now much larger family.

What do you hope for the future?

That I can find a better way

to balance everybody and everything, you know,

and not so much tension.

- [robin] it was a kidnapping that rattled the nation.