All language subtitles for Abducted The Carlina White Story (2012).en

My name is Joy White, and
I'm here to see Ann Pettway.

SECURITY MAN (OFF-CAMERA):
Does she know you're coming?

No.

SECURITY MAN (OFF-CAMERA):
Park over there.

I'll put you through security.

[moaning] I was on my way
to school when my water broke.

I don't think she's
going to make it.

What's your name, honey?

Joy.

Joy White.

Joy, how old are you?

She's 16.

And is this your
first pregnancy?

Yes!

NURSE: Name?

Ann Pettway.

Do you want to tell
me what happened, Ann?

I started having
pains, so I came here.

All right.

Now, is this your
first pregnancy?

No!

Anybody that you
want us to call?

No, no, no!

[beeping]

Scalpel.

Push.

- [grunting]
- Push.

Come on.

Almost there.

Scissors.

Forceps.

Suction, please.

DOCTOR (OFF-CAMERA): Big push.

[screaming]

[rapid beeping]

[baby crying]

[slow beeping]

[tools clacking]

CARL TYSON: I told
you it was girl.

But I was sure.

Your mama owes me
a chocolate cake now.

[laughs]

[chuckles] I always
wanted a baby girl.

Don't nobody love a
guy like his baby girl.

Isn't she beautiful?

She looks just like you.

She's got your eyes.

[chuckles] What are
we going to call her?

I'm not naming
her after your Ma.

Guess Carl Jr. is
out of the question.

Who says?

CARL TYSON: Carlina Renae White.

Daddy's little girl.

We love you.

No!

I did everything right.

Everything right!

I didn't drink , I didn't smoke.

Why did this happen again?

Your blood work shows
some abnormalities

with your hormone levels.

What?

I don't even know what you said.

It is unlikely that you could
sustain a full-term pregnancy.

Hmm-mm.
Hmm-mm.

Uh-uh.

I don't even believe you.

Stop lying.

Stop lying!
- Nurse!

Don't lie to me.
What you do with my baby?

What did you do with my baby?

- You need to calm down.
- What did you do with my baby?!

- You need to really calm down.
- You know what?

I'm going to find her myself.
- Ma'am--

- I'll find her myself!
- Get me Ativan.

Give me some Ativan.

- I want to know where he is.
- Hold her down.

- What did you do with my baby?
- Hold her down.

What'd you do with my baby?

This is my grandbaby,
Carlina Renae White.

Oh, precious.

While she is named after
her father-- still, to me,

I don't know--

the Lord works in
mysterious ways.

[laughs] Can we bow our heads?

Heavenly Father, we'd
like to thank You

for bringing this healthy
little girl into our family.

May she always know how
it feels to be loved.

Amen.
- Amen.

Amen.

Amen!

[laughs]

What's that, Carlina?

I think she said, let's eat.

[laughter]

She's gorgeous.

Welcome home, sweetie pie.

DOCTOR: How is she?

NURSE: She hasn't eaten in days.

She just lays there.

We need the bed.

Should we try the psych ward?

Nah, there's no
beds there, either.

Miss Pettway, your
vitals look good.

We can have you out of
here this afternoon.

How's that sound?

Have you thought of
other alternatives?

You can foster a child,
you can adopt a baby.

My wife and I adopted
just last year.

Nobody's going
to get me no baby.

[baby crying, faint]

(SINGING) All
night, all day, angels

watching over me, my Lord.

All night, all day
angels watching over me.

Are you ready?

To try on shoes?

Oh, you know, for the baby.

'Cause you look like
you're about ready to drop.

You're carrying it high.

I think it's a girl.

Is this your first?

I had one last year.

You won't sleep,
but you'll love it.

You'll see.

Now, how did those feel?

[somber music playing]

Ma'am?

I think they're kind of tight.

Can I get a size up?

I'll go check.

[dramatic music playing]

Come on, you doctor.

Her history?

The patient's had
three miscarriages,

and according to her blood work,
it appears her body is too weak

to have a child.

But like I told her, there's
a cure for everything,

if you're willing to take
matters in your own hands.

Yes, doctor.

[dramatic music playing]

I knew you'd have a solution.

[baby carlina crying]

I just took it again.

It's 104.

I'm leaving right now.

No, Carl.

Tell your boss
you're leaving now.

Meet me at the hospital?

OK, bye.

(SINGING) --to sleep.

Angels watching over me.

[baby carlina crying]

[baby coughs]

(SINGING) --all day, angels
watching over me, my Lord.

Uh, the children's ward.

Where is it?

That way.

Thanks.

(SINGING) --all day,
angels watching over me.

[baby cries]

| never should have
took her to the park.

It was too soon!

It's not your fault.

You know, maybe I'm not
ready to take care of a child.

[sighs] I'm just--
I'm just too tired.

You are a great mother.

[sniffles] Oh.

It's going to be fine.

Right?

Our baby is going to be fine.

Oh, girl, yeah!

I see this all the time.

Babies bounce back
faster than us.

See?

[baby gargling]

What's your baby's name?

Carlina.

Your name Carl, right?

Yeah.

[all laugh]

That's cute!

I like that.

OK.

We're giving her
antibiotics now,

and the fever should
break by morning.

Did you want to stay
the night with her?

Um, I'm going to have
to go back to work.

I'll make a call.

[sighs] You're going to be OK.

Hey

Hey!

Hey, what's your name?

It's Joy.

I just want to tell
you, I heard you earlier.

And you're a good mother, Joy.

You think so?

Yeah, girl, I can see it.

Thank you.

You know what else I can see?

What's that?

You tired.

I am.

The baby keeps me up.

Ah, she keep you up, right?

The baby keeps me up.

Why don't you go home
and rest for a few hours?

I should stay here.

Girl, don't be silly.

For what?

All you're going to be doing is
sitting around here, waiting.

We got your number.

If anything happen,
we'll call you.

I don't want to
leave her here alone.

Don't worry.

The baby don't cry for
you, you cry for the baby.

I tell you what,
I tell you what.

I'll watch her myself.

OK.

Maybe a quick shower.

Just-- I'll just go home
and pick up a few things.

I got it, I got it.

I told you, I got it.

Hey, I got to
get back to work.

Can you drop me
home on your way back?

Let's go.

I'll be back soon.

Please look out for my baby.

I got you, I promise you.

Go on.

Go.

[whispers]

(WHISPER SINGING)
All night, all day,

angels watching
over me, my Lord.

[suspenseful music playing]

[baby carlina fussing]

Oh, no!

(SINGING) All day,
all night, angels--

[elevator dings]

SECURITY GUARD: I haven't
seen you around before.

I just started.

SECURITY GUARD:
That explains it.

The only way to
survive the late shift

is about making sure you get
plenty of sleep on your day

off.

I'll keep that
in mind, thank you.

[elevator dings]

Have a nice night.

[suspenseful music playing]

[sirens in the distance]

[baby cooing]

[sighs] It's OK.

It's OK.

It's OK.

[baby crying]

(WHISPERING) I got you.

I got you.

I got you.

[phone ringing]

Hello?

Yes, this is Carlina
White's mother.

No, I left her at the hospital.

What's wrong?

Missing?

What do you mean she's missing?

(SHOUTING) What
the hell happened?

[gasps]

Detective Dalton, NYPD.

Between 2:30 and 3:30
AM, medical personnel,

or someone posing as
medical personnel,

removed your daughter
from the ward.

Will she hurt my baby?

I can't answer
that, Miss White.

Security cameras, there's
got to be something on those.

Unfortunately, the cameras
aren't working today.

Fingerprints.

We can only match them if
the perpetrators committed

the crime in the
State of New York.

Now, we believe the kidnapper
worked at the hospital,

or pretended to work
at the hospital,

so we're scouring files.

How long is that
going to take?

I can't answer
that, Miss White.

Maybe you can answer this--

How are you going
to find my baby?

[sighs] Why don't you
tell us what you do know?

Did you speak to
anyone privately?

No.

Yes.

That nurse, Carl, remember.

Yeah, yeah.

She told me the baby don't cry
for you, you cry for the baby.

[gasps] That lady was
trying to get me to leave.

Did you get her name?

She wasn't wearing a tag.

Can you describe her?

She was black.

Around my complexion.

And older.

Heavyset.

Like she just had a baby.

Or just lost hers.

[mouthing] No.

[sobs]

We have reason to believe
that this woman is involved

in the kidnapping
of Carlina White.

The City of New York has posted
a $10,000 reward for any tip

leading to the baby's return.

It's the first time in
the history of this city

that a child's been
taken from a hospital.

[interposing voices from crowd]

I want my baby back.

She didn't have
to do that to me.

I was carrying her
for nine months.

She had to take her from me.

[crying]

I think the lady is just
scared because she thinks

we're going to press charges.

But I just want to tell her
I wouldn't press charges

against you.

Just bring our daughter back.

[sighs] Oh!

Hi!

I need a picture.

Oh.

[camera clicking]

Hi!

OK, be careful.

Be careful.

She been a little sick.

I got you.

Hi!

Hey, baby.

What's your name, baby?

My name Nejdra Nance.

My name Nejdra Nance.

Where's your daddy, Nejdra?

My Daddy's out working today.

Dealing drugs ain't working.

You look like a Netty.

I'mma call you Netty.

You OK with that, Netty?

I'm your Aunty Cassandra.

Let me get the bottle.

Can you say Cassandra?

[street noises]

Excuse me, my
daughter's been kidnapped.

If you could just give
me a call if you see her.

Excuse me, sir, my
daughter's been--

Excuse me, sir.

[baby giggling]

Hey.

[sighs] I spoke to my boss.

I'm going to get that
raise, so we can start

looking for our own place.

Don't bother.

They're never going to find her.

Yes, they will.

Carl, just stop!

Why are you so mad at me?

Joy, no one could have
known this would happen.

It was late, a shift change,
the camera's not working.

It was like a perfect storm.

I keep thinking
about that night.

That nurse, all those
things she said to me.

I called a lawyer today.

Somebody's got to pay for this.

Somebody's got to pay.

When's her birthday?

July 31.

Why did it take you three
weeks to bring her around?

They kept us in the
hospital a little while.

And you ain't called nobody?

I didn't want to bother folks.

I ain't folks.

I'm your sister.

OK.

I started having contractions.

I did want to take no
chances, so I went straight

to the hospital.

I'm with no problems.

I got there, didn't think
she was going to make it.

But she did.

You're my little
miracle baby angel.

You're my little miracle baby.

[inhales] [sniffles]

It's been nearly a year, that
19-day-old Carlina White was

snatched from the
Harlem Hospital.

Parents have filed
a $100 million

lawsuit against the city
that charges lax security

and shoddy hiring practices.

Carlina's life is priceless.

No settlement in the world
could ever measure up

to having my daughter back.

I can't believe the police
haven't found my daughter yet.

In the beginning, there were
helicopters and police officers

everywhere, but it all
died down rather fast.

Detective Dalton, I
need some good news.

We're working on it.

You said you'd find her.

Look.

There was a woman.

Someone saw her at the hospital
and on a train with a baby.

We're checking into it.

If Carlina was a
little white girl,

you would have found her by now.

You really believe that?

I think she'd still
be in the papers.

What do you want me to say?

I want you to keep your word.

Find my daughter.

That's 43.96.

There you go.

Keith?

Need an authorization.

Hold on a second,
Mrs. Alexander.

Is there a problem?

No, there's just been
an uptick in fraud.

We just need to
verify this quickly.

I got cash.

Sure.

Thank you.

Hold on a second,
Mrs. Alexander.

What?

Your change.

[baby crying]

Aunty Cassandra's going
to get you some milk.

Ugh, we out of milk.

That's why I
went to the store.

That's why I went to the store,
to get my baby some milk.

Yes!

[smooch] You miss me?

Yes, you did!

[baby cooing]

Oh, you're wet.

What you going to do with that?

I will make
Nejdra a new outfit.

A dress and a hat.

You like it?
- That's sweet.

I like that one.
- I know!

That's sweet, right?
- I like it.

I like that one.

Her daddy's taking us
out for her first birthday,

and I want us to
look extra nice.

You need to cut him loose,
and get yourself a job.

For your information,
Miss Holier-Than-Thou,

I gots me a job.

[chuckles] Well, let me show
you what we've been doing all

day.

No!

[interposing voices]

[laughing]

You did it!

You did it!

We'd like to open
up three accounts.

One in my name.

One in mine.

And one is a trust in
the name of Carlina White.

And she is?

Our daughter.

That's good planning.

Where's a little one?

Do you see her?

Carlina is not with us, but
we're hoping she will be soon.

Well, our minimum deposit
is $100 per account.

Is that OK?

This is almost half
a million dollars.

What do you have to do to
make that kind of money?

JOY WHITE: It was
a settlement, OK?

Maybe a coffee or something?

I'm going to be late.

How about tonight?

I can't.

You can't keep avoiding me.

I've got to get to class.

How's the studying going?

Carl.

I know you've been trying,
but every time I look at you,

I see Carlina.

I see her face, I see her eyes.

I don't want to
be angry anymore.

It's my fault, right?

We both left the
hospital that night.

You think you're the
only one that's angry?

There's not a day that goes by
that I don't think about what

our lives could've been
like if this didn't happen.

I'm sorry.

I just can't.

OK.

I just can't.

Yo, what's up, cutie?

Don't you ever talk to
strangers, you hear me?

What do you do if a stranger
tries to give you candy?

I scream, no, and run.

Good, good.

Do I gotta go?

Yes, you gotta go.

Can't-- can't you teach me?

No, Mama can't teach
you everything, baby.

Don't you want to grow up and be
smart like the Huxtables on TV?

Like Rudy?

But I don't want
to go to school!

Look here, don't
test me today, OK?

Don't test me today.

Do you hear me?

Do you hear me?

(CRYING) Yes.

Don't be upset, OK?

Mama just loves you so much, and
she wants what's best for you.

You're Mama's
miracle baby, Nejdra.

Can I get a smile?

You can do better than that.

Come on, give me a smile!

[laughs]

[bell rings]

Come on-- muah--
let's go to school.

Be good.

[r&b music playing]
- Hurry up!

Hurry up, Mama.

It's time.

It's time!

What'd I tell you about
bothering me this early?

I'm coming!

I'm coming!

Let's see what you got.

Are all these for me?

Yeah, you've been a
good girl this year, so--

Yeah, open this one first.

No, no, no, no.

Open this one.

Open this one first.

Smile!

Look, baby.

[camera clicks]

And this one's for you.

I know you want to do
hair when you grow up,

so I say you can
practice on her.

Can I brush it now?

Can I?
Please?

Yeah, yeah.

Go get my brush.

I don't get no sugar, what?

Huh?

Hey, Netty, hurry up,
because we're already

late for your grandma's house.

MAN (SINGING): You and
me will always be family.

Hmm, dang, all these presents?

You ain't had but two pennies
to rub together last month.

Ain't you going to open it?

Fine.

Whatever you're
doing, you better

watch out before you
end up in a prison cell,

right next to Netty's daddy.

Why don't you
see what you got?

You're acting like a
prison guard yourself.

I'm just saying.

I'm just saying,
it's Christmas.

Why don't you enjoy yourself?

Remember that day?

Thank you.

Mama, where's your brush?

Um, it's in my top drawer.

And, Netty, get a
move on, all right?

We ain't got all day.

I can't find it.

Well, it's in there,
but you got to go.

Bye, Mama.

Bye, Netty.

Excuse me, I'm looking
for Detective Dalton.

Oh, he retired last week.

Can I help you?

I'm Joy White.

My daughter Carlina White
was kidnapped 16 years ago.

I'm here to look at the book.

Yeah, he told me
you would come by.

Uh, let's see here.

Not a lot of new faces the
books since last month, though.

Here, have a seat.

I'll never forget hers.

"The baby don't cry for
you, you cry for the baby."

When were you
going to tell me?

What?

Ride or die, right?

Besties.

Ann ain't stupid.

And when she find out,
she gon' be a real mad.

What if she kicks me out?

Come live with me.

Will you tell her for me?

Oh, we'll tell her together,
when I get back from Atlanta.

You know you my girl, right?

Mmhmm.

[MUSIC PLAYING - DANIEL HOLTER,
"LET'S GO PLAYA"]

Control your niece.

I'm about to beat these
boys off her with a stick.

At least she got
better taste than you do.

Oh, no.

You ain't going to start.

Hey, hey--

No, you ain't starting.

'Cause I'm scared of you.

I'm really scared of you.

Oh, you should be.

[grunts]

Why don't you go say something
to your guesta, please?

[music stops]

Hi, y'all.

So glad you guys could
all come to my Sweet 16.

It's really nice to have
all my friends here today.

I don't know what I'd
do without you guys.

All y'all are me, you
know what I'm saying?

You know!

[clapping]

[music resumes]

What did I tell you
about getting close up

with these boys, huh?

We weren't doing nothing.

I know--

All right, people,
party's over.

Y'all need to go home.

We are home.

Go inside.

Why?

Because we said so.

Because-- because--

Last time I checked, it was
legal to stand on the street.

Come on, Mama, let's go.

Get your hands off me, girl!

I ain't scared of these cops.

Is there a problem?

No!

Yes.

You.

Mama, he's serious.

So am I!

This is my house.

This is my street.

My street!

What are you on, ma'am?

What am I--

I'm high on life!

All right?

I'm high on life.

Go inside right now.

Or what?

You need to stop
and be quiet--

Get your hands off me, girl.

Don't you touch.

Or what?

What you going to do, huh?

You going to beat
me in the street?

You going to beat
me in the street

like they did Rodney King?

What you doing to do?

What is going on?

They violating my human
rights, that's what's going on.

You're coming with me.

I ain't going--

Wait, wait, please!

Please, wait.

I'll take her back in the house.

You don't have to
beg for me, girl.

They got nothing on me.

Get off me, I can walk.

I can walk!

Get off!

JOY WHITE: Bless us, Lord.

Make us thankful to
have Christ, our Lord.

And Lord, as we celebrate
Carlina's 16th birthday,

please keep her safe and happy.

And I humbly ask you bring her
back to me, when you see fit.

Amen.

Are you going to do this
every year on her birthday?

Well, um, until Carlina
comes home, or I die.

That's not healthy.

So are you a psychologist now?

We're just saying maybe
it's time to let her go.

If, God forbid, something
happened to you or your sister,

would you want me to let it go?

[phone ringing]

Hi, Carl.

Thank you for the flowers.

Thanks for the card.

How are the kids?

Well, this boy's got his
learner's permit last month.

JOY WHITE (ON PHONE):
That can't be good.

[laughs] You ain't lying.

Really, Carl.

How are you?

This is always one
of the hardest days

of the year for me.

Me, too.

ANN PETWAY: Hey, sis.

So how was the interview?

Well, I got the job!

[all squealing]

Wow, Cassie!

Thank you!

Yeah, I'm going to
be moving down here.

Y'all, Atlanta is real nice.

The streets are full of
hard-working brothers

with suits.

Suits!

Too damn hot down here for me.

So maybe Netty
could come down here.

It's a great place
to start a family.

What you talking about?

I can get a job.

And a place for me and the baby.

You pregnant?

Wait.

Before you get mad, remember
how you were at that age.

No.

No.

No grandbaby of mine's going
to be raised in no Atlanta.

We putting the child right here.

You're not mad?

No!

Girl, I'm happy.

I'm happy!

I'm going to be a grandma!

[yelps happily] Is it a girl?

Is it a-- It's a girl?

Well, we got to get prenatal
vitamins, and a check-up.

We might need a bigger place.

How are we going
to pay for all this?

I can pay.

The state will
pay for some of it.

No grandbaby of mine is going
to be raised by no welfare.

I can pay.

Rent a car.

We'll get her an
assistant just in case.

Hey!

Did you find my
birth certificate?

I need to go to
the clinic soon.

It's here somewhere.

I'll handle it when
I get home from work.

That's what you
said last week.

I'll handle it when
I get home from work.

I promise.

[door shuts]

[sighs]

[suspenseful music playing]

[grunts]

CLERK: Next.

Here are the forms,
and my birth certificate.

OK.

We have no record of your birth.

What?

No Nejdra Nance
born July 31, 1987?

Bridgeport, Connecticut.

No Nejdra Nance in the system.

I didn't make it up.

Can you check again?

This document is a forgery.

No, it's not.

Don't make me call the police.

I was thinking about starting
my set off on a racist note.

[laughs]

Everybody else came on--

What did you do with my
real birth certificate?

Girl, have you lost your mind?

I was watching that.

The State of Connecticut
has no record of my birth.

Who told you that?

I went downtown with
the fake certificate

I found in your closet.

You went in my room?

To find my birth certificate?

I done told you
about going in my room.

- They almost called--
- I told you!

They almost called
the cops on me!

What's going on?

Why don't I have a
real birth certificate?

Why?

She left you and
she never came back.

What?

She was a friend
of your father's.

What are you talking about?

Your mother.

She left you on my doorstep.

You're not my real mother.

She left you because she
knew I'd raise you right.

And I did.

I did raise your
right, didn't I?

What was her name?

Didn't I?

What was my mother's name?

You don't even need
to know all that.

Yes, I do.

All that matters
right now is you and me.

You call me Little Ann
because I look just like you.

You pretended to
be my real mother.

How could you like like that?

To me?

Netty, now, you can't
be mad at me for that.

Come here.

Come on, don't be like that.

Come here.

Now, you can't be mad at me.

I took you out of
a bad situation.

And I did my best for you.

I did my best for you.

That's all you need to know.

Look here.

Netty, I did my best.

What-- Netty.

Netty.

Netty!

[departing footsteps]

[door opens]

[door slams]

You sure you don't want me
to stay 'til you have the baby?

We'll be fine.

You can always
come stay with me.

I mean it.

You and that baby
are always welcome.

Tell me the truth.

Did you know?

Look, she told me
she gave birth to you,

and I believed her.

Why?

Why did you believe her?

I didn't think she would
lie about something like that.

Look, Netty, here's the truth.

I don't care who
gave birth to you.

But I do.

You sure you want to know?

Because the truth don't always
turn out the way you want.

Cassie, if I
don't know who I am,

how am I going to tell
my baby who she is?

ANN PETWAY: All right,
I got the last two.

Here you go.

[sighs] I'm going
to miss you, girl.

Baby on the doorstep?

You're going to have to
tell her more than that.

You mind your
business, Cassie.

You be careful!

Call me!

ANCHOR (ON TV): She
was a tiny figure

they knew for a tiny time, but
17 years after she was snatched

away, the ache remains.

I feel it in my spirit--

ANCHOR (ON TV): Says Joy White,
the mother of the abducted

child, who works for a
financial brokerage firm.

JOY WHITE (ON TV): I use
her name as my email address

Someone or other has her.

I could walk past
her any day, and she

wouldn't know her own father.

ANCHOR (ON TV):
Back to you, Bill.

[tv shuts off]

[poignant music playing]

NETTY NANCE (VOICEOVER): Dear
Oprah, I'm writing to you

because I can't think of
anyone else who can help me.

I've recently
found out the woman

who raised me is not mother.

I had a healthy baby
girl, and moved to Atlanta

to be near my aunt.

My baby makes me happy,
but inside, I feel lost.

Can you help me find my parents?

I need to know the truth
in a life filled with lies.

Sincerely, Netty Nance.

Smile!

Perfect.

Have a great day, beautiful.

Bye!

Bye!

My name is--?

Maya Nance.

I'm six years old.

And I live in--?

Atlanta, Georgia.

But I was born in--

Bridgeport, Connect-i-cut.

Very good!

That's hard to say.

Your teacher's going
to be very happy.

Mama?

Mmhmm?

Were you born in
Connect-i-cut, too?

I don't know where
I was born, baby.

But I'm going to find out.

Look at this.

You on that website again?

No, look at this.

She was born July 15,
1987 that's about right.

I was born July 31, 1987.

You think it's me?

That baby ain't you.

She got too much hair.

She looks just like Maya did.

Look again.

For real.

She does look like
you did at that age.

(READING) "Carlina
Renae White was last

seen in the Harlem
Hospital children's ward."

Hmm-mm.

Ann's twisted, but she
wouldn't have done all that.

Call the number.

[phone ringing]

Center for Missing
and Exploited Children.

This is Keith.

I may have information
on a missing child.

But we're not
sure she's missing.

She's missing.

She thinks she was
abducted from a hospital.

Is the child in
immediate danger?

No, but we've been
trying to get information

for the last five
years with no luck.

Can you tell me
something about her?

NETTY NANCE (ON
PHONE): Like what?

How old is she?

23.

KEITH (ON PHONE): And her race?

I guess African-American.

Could be Dominican--

Probably African-American.

Does she have any
identifying characteristics?

Any birthmarks?

No.

Yes, she has a birthmark
on her right arm.

Right, a birthmark.

Who is "she?"

Who is missing?

Me.

I am.

WOMAN: Take a look at this.

OK, we took the photograph that
Nejdra Nance sent us of her

at six months, and the one
that Joy White sent us of baby

Carlina at nine days old.

We did an aging progression
sequence on both,

and I think we have a match.

[computer chimes]

[gasps] Carlina's alive!

Oh, God!

Praise God!

My baby's alive!

That's Carlina.

[sobbing] My
daughter, she's alive!

What's up?

They think they found her.

My God.

She's living in Atlanta.

How do they know it's her?

We have to take DNA tests.

We shouldn't get our hopes up.

Look at this, Carl.

She has my eyes.

Oh, my God, Joy.

It's her.

We found our baby girl!

[laughs]

(READING) He
secretly went at night.

He felt nobody wanted him.

Why am di--

Different.

(READING TOGETHER)
--from my brothers.

Oh, look at you reading!

Look at you.

He's not ugly.

He ugly for a duckling.

[both laugh]

Grandma?

Yeah, baby?

Who do you live so far away?

I want you to come
live with us one day.

Oh, that's sweet, baby.

Maybe one day.

Mama, Grandma Ann might
come live with us one day.

Maya, can you leave me and
grandma alone for a minute?

All right.

Bye, smarty-pants.

We going to read later, OK?

MAYA NANCE: OK!

All right.

She reading so good!

I need to know
about my parents.

You know, I ain't come
down here to argue with you.

Mama, no matter what you say,
as long as it's the truth, I

won't get mad.

I promise.

[sucks teeth] You
want to know the truth?

Hmm?

Yes.

OK.

Your mama was a crack ho.

You was a crack baby.

She did want you,
so I took you in.

And now, you sitting up
here, treating me like I

did something wrong.

Putting me on trial, like
I did something wrong.

When I did the right thing.

You know what I
should have done?

I should've left you
on your crackhead

behind out on the street,
just like your mama.

Get out now!

[interposing voices]

Get out!

- Get out?
- Go.

Who do you think
you're talking to?

I'm talking to you.

I want you to get
out of my house.

Take all your stuff and get out.

All I wanted-- all I
wanted was the truth.

That's all.

I don't need this!

[dialing]

Hello.

[clears throat] Is
Joy White there?

[hopeful music playing]

Thanks.

[sighs, whimpers] It's you.

Come here.

You must be Maya.

Oh.

[indistinct chatter]

[chuckles]

[chatter dies down]

Carlina, this
is your Aunt Lisa.

She's been crying all day.

This is your auntie
and your uncle.

There's your cousin back there.

This is your half-sister, Tina.

And this is your
half-brother, Trey.

How y'all doing, everybody?

This is my daughter, Maya.

Praise be to God!

Welcome home, child.

I'm your Grandmother Elizabeth.

Thank you, Grandma.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, you are a
mystery we cannot comprehend.

None of us know why we
are meant to suffer,

but we do believe in
your infinite wisdom,

there is always a
reason and purpose.

We hope that one day
you will reveal it.

We pray that one day we will
forgive those that took Carlina

away.

Most of all, we thank you for
returning our lost daughters

to us.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

We didn't know
what you'd like,

so we made you
macaroni and cheese,

curry chicken, and
lasagna, and oxtail soup.

[laughter]

And that's just the start.

[laughter]

[chuckles softly]

You got your daddy's eyes.

And I love music.

That's because I used to sing
to you when you were a baby.

I'm a neat freak.

I clean all the time

I know where
she got that from.

[laughs]

I wish you would have gotten
some of the same from me, too.

Was the woman who
snatched you a neat freak?

Not like me and Joy.

Is it true?

The news said you
grew up on welfare.

- Tina!
- And drugs.

They said the woman who
raised you was on drugs.

That's enough.

TINA: I just want
to know about life.

It's OK.

The house I grew up in
was nothing like this.

And the woman that took
me is nothing like Joy.

But you can't believe
everything you hear on the news.

How'd you learn how
to do hair like this?

When I was six, it was the
Christmas my mom got me a doll.

Your mom?

Styling's a good skill to have.

I know.

I just started working at
this hair salon part-time.

I know I'll always be able
to make money as a stylist.

People spend their rent
money on their hair.

But what are you
thinking about college?

I don't know yet.

Carlina, we may not
have the past together,

but we will have a future.

TINA: Are you mad
at Ann Pettway?

NETTY NANCE: What do you think?

Was she mean, was she scary?

What was she like?

She had two sides.

One time, she got so mad at
me that she hit me in the face

with a shoe.

Then she felt so
bad, she figured out

a way to sneak me and all
my friends into the movies.

Wow.

A shoe?

What was it like for
you, growing up here?

It wasn't perfect.

Ma was always worried something
would happen to me or Trey.

We didn't have much freedom.

You know, she cried
a lot for you.

Sorry.

Yeah.

Well, she's happy now, so
even if the DNA doesn't match,

can you still come visit?

Just you being here
you gives her hope.

[sighs]

Hey, it's me.

CASSANDRA (ON PHONE): What
took you so long to call?

We had a big family dinner.

Is the DNA back?

They're my parents.

I know it.

It kind of feels like home.

That's great.

Why don't you
sound happy for me?

Netty, just don't
forget who you are.

OK?

[hangs up]

[serene music playing]

Hey.

You're late.

You were supposed to
be here an hour ago.

Sorry, I got held up at work.

[sighs]

What?

Do I have something on
my face or something?

No.

You don't understand what me
and your mama went through.

Just seeing you standing here.

[chuckles] So, if you could
do anything today, what would

you do?

I'd like to do a girl
thing, like get my hair done.

But--

But what?

I'll take you.

It might feel strange
having a man come with me.

Well, I ain't a man.

I'm your dad.

Papers haven't come back yet.

You giving me attitude?

Sorry.

Never had a father before.

[poignant music playing]

[no dialogue]

[both laughing]

[joyful music turns somber]

It's positive.

[exhales sharply]

It's positive?

Thank you, God!

It's a miracle.

I knew it.

I knew it from the first
time I saw that picture.

The phone's been
ringing off the hook.

The press is coming by
tomorrow to interview us here.

It's official now, Maya.

You can call me Grandma.

Just like Grandma Ann?

[laughs]

We can come down to
Atlanta next weekend

and help you and
Maya move up here.

ANCHOR (ON TV): Carlina White,
who was kidnapped from Harlem

Hospital over 22 years ago,
solved her own kidnapping.

She will be reunited with
her biological parents

today in what is sure to
be an emotional reunion.

In local news, police say a
propane explosion destroyed

a suburban Charlotte house and
killed a toddler and injured 17

other people.

[knocking]

[knocking]

AGENT JOHNSON: Special
Agent Thompson,

thank you for coming in.

DETECTIVE DALTON:
Happy to help out.

It's the kind of case
that haunts you, even

into retirement.

Is there anything that
didn't make it into this file?

I've interviewed just
about anyone breathing

in Harlem Hospital that night.

A number of people ID
another woman besides Pettway

as the perp.

We tracked her
down to Baltimore,

but couldn't pin it on her.

Your gut?

It was the woman
that raised her.

I'm about to do
another conference.

What's up?

Have you heard from Ann?

NETTY NANCE (ON PHONE): No, why?

The police came
looking for her.

They say she disappeared.

She's not answering her phone.

I'm worried.

Look, the conference
is about to start.

I got to go.

[tense music playing]

ANCHOR (ON TV): Newark
Mayor Cory Booker made--

Fill it up.

Yeah, sure.

[machine beeps]

Nope.

This was declined.

Well-- Try that one.

OK.

[machine beeps] Uh-uh.

Sorry.

Can I pay another way?

Cash.

I've got a computer--

car--

Lady, we don't take computers.

Yeah.

All right.

ANCHOR (ON TV): 23
years, White has reunited

with her biological parents.

Deputy police believe her
to be in the Tri State area.

How do I feel?

I feel complete.

I've always
dreamed about this.

Now, after 23
years, I can sleep.

Do you have anything
to say to Ann Pettway?

I want her to suffer.

I want her to do time like
I suffered for 23 years.

Carl, you said before you
didn't want to press charges.

Do you still feel that way
or have your feelings changed

over the years?

Well, they have
changed over the years.

But right about now,
whatever the court decides,

that's all right with me.

I don't want to say
too much about it,

because I've got other
things in my heart.

Can I get a shot of
the three of you, please?

Great.

How about a kiss on the
cheek by both parents?

[chuckling]

Nice.

Thank you.

Thanks.

[interposing voices]

REPORTER: --anything
to say about Pettway?

Is it true that she was
drug-addicted and abusive?

When I look at
Joy White, I see me.

But then, my mother,
the other lady,

I don't know what to call her.

I would always be searching
for things we had in common.

But we had nothing in common.

All right, no more questions.

We got to go.

Thank you.

[sighs] Do you believe this?

Oh, God is so good.

[phone ringing]

Hello?

Hello!

So, what do you
think, Carlina?

She wants to fly us to
Chicago and everything.

I just don't feel like sitting
on Oprah's couch for an hour,

talking about Ann.

What's wrong?

Cassandra's flipping
out, and Ann's missing.

You don't have to
worry about them anymore.

They're not your
family, Carlina.

[phone ringing]

I know it's you.

Say something.

I know this looks bad.

You stole my life.

Is that her?

Is that Ann?

Hey.

Just give her a minute.

It's OK.

Look, just give me a minute,
and I will straighten this out.

I'mma straighten it out.
OK?

NETTY NANCE (ON PHONE): Either
you did it, or you didn't.

You never take
responsibility for anything.

Netty!

My name is Ann Pettway.

I'm here to straighten
out this mess.

Where's your boss?

[beep]

Tell me what happened.

There was this girl,
and she loved dolls.

All kind of dolls.

But she got tired of these dolls
because they couldn't walk,

they couldn't talk, they
couldn't love her back.

So, she got pregnant
three times.

And every time, the baby died.

And that wasn't fair, was it?

Was it?

No.

It wasn't fair.

She just wanted somebody
to love her back.

Ann Pettway, you're under
arrest for the kidnapping

of Carlina Renae White.

Will you tell my daughter now?

Why don't we get a mani-pedi?

I think it's time to go home.

OK, let's go home.

No, I mean back
home to Atlanta.

No, don't!

Am I being too pushy?

No!

No, it's not that.

I appreciate all of this.

Really, I do.

OK.

A reporter told me
about the trust fund.

I was hoping to take that money,
close out my life in Atlanta,

and, I don't know, maybe
get a place up here.

That way I'd be closer.

Carlina.

What?

The trust fund dissolved
when you were 21.

What happened to it?

We needed that money.

Were you ever
going to tell me?

I'm sorry, Carlina.

Hey, Carlina, do
you have a phone?

Carlina, wait!

[interposing voices]

Anything to sue Ann Pettway?

When did you realize Ann
Pettway wasn't your mother?

No comment.

[interposing voices]

Carlina, we want to hear
your side of the story!

Aunty!

Hey, pretty girl!

Did you miss me?

Mmhmm.

Could you come to New
York with us next time?

Maya, go put your
stuff in your room.

I'll be there in a minute.

So you heard the news?

Saw on TV.

Her lawyers want
to meet with you

so they can discuss strategy.

I can't.

You can, and you will.

She's family.

Netty, you hear me?

You can't leave her hanging.

Look, I'm going
by Carlina now.

You're Netty to me.

But my name is Carlina.

Your name is Nejdra.

Not according to
my birth certificate.

[departing footsteps]

[knocking]

Rise and shine.

FEMALE INMATE
(OFF-SCREEN): Stop banging!

[knocking]

Rise and shine!

Pettway.

[dramatic music playing]

ANN PETTWAY: You
got to make her.

If they convict me,
it's 25 to life.

She don't want to testify,
and she don't want to see you.

You got to make her!

I can't keep cleaning up after
you, where Netty's concerned.

She's her own person.

Cassie--

Ann, you took that
child's life from her.

Then you kept in the dark
about her family for years.

You had plenty of opportunity
to make this right.

But you didn't.

What am I supposed to do now?

[sighs]

[tense music playing]

That woman took
everything from us.

BAILIFF: All rise.

How does the defendant plead?

My client pleads not
guilty, your honor.

Not guilty?

What?

ANN PETTWAY (VOICEOVER):
Dear Nejdra, I

think of you every day.

I miss you and Maya so much
it makes me want to cry.

I hope I see you soon.

Love, your mother.

Has she returned
any of your calls?

I've left five messages.

Carl, we cannot
lose her this time.

We can't.

Now, that's enough.

All right.

Excuse me, excuse me.

[interposing voices]

Hi, Carlina.

It's your mom.

Oh, I can't believe I can
actually say that to you now.

Listen, I tried to call you the
other day and never heard back.

I tried texting you,
never heard back.

Carlina, please call
me and your father.

We need to hear from you.

[music playing]

[phone ringing]

No, I am happy my
daughter came back to me.

The problem we have right
now is just it's hard for her

to cope with us.

She hasn't been with
us for 23 years.

Is there anything you'd
like to say to Carlina?

I love you.

I want you to come back
and give us a chance.

Let's make-- make
up for lost time.

JOY WHITE: I was on such
a high when I was first

reunited with my daughter.

You couldn't tell me
nothing, you know?

I was floating on air.

That was a great moment.

And then, one day, after telling
her story to "The New York

Post," she changed,
in just that day.

I think had a lot to do
with the Pettway family.

She asked a lot of questions
about the money, the trust

fund, and the $10,000 reward.

That money's gone.

And it really hurts
because it's about money.

She won't return my calls.

[tv shuts off]

[dialing]

I'd like to change
my phone number.

Where's Grandpa Carl?

He's in New York.

Where's Grandma Joy?

She's in New York too.

Can we visit her soon?

I don't know.

Where's Grandma Ann?

What's with all the questions?

Where's Grandma Ann?

She went away.

Is she mad at me?

No, baby.

She's not mad at you.

Sometimes people do bad things.

When they get caught,
they have to go away.

Did she say she was sorry?

When I do something bad, I say
sorry, and you give me a hug.

Miss Johnson, what is your
relationship to the defendant?

Ann Pettway is my sister.

What you're saying she
did was despicable,

but I love my sister.

She's not perfect.

She's deeply flawed.

But she loves Netty.

Ann is a good mother.

Ann Pettway knows she
caused a lot of pain.

She'd had several miscarriages,
and she never believe

she'd be able to be a parent.

So, in my opinion, she
did kidnap Carlina White,

and she as much as confessed
to it in my office,

[door opens, closes]

[tv playing, indistinct]

Get up.

Get up, now.

What happened to your phone?

I disconnected it.

I needed to do just drop out.

Well, you need
to drop back in.

Why?

So I can help Ann?

Because you have
a life to live.

Whose life am I living?

Joy's?

Ann's?

Yours?

If I spend time with
Joy, I'm betraying you.

If I spend time with
you and talk about Ann,

I'm betraying Joy.

Look, I know this
has been hard on you.

I know I helped
make it hard on you.

Look, you can call
yourself Carlina or Nejdra.

I don't care.

It doesn't matter to me
what you call yourself.

Point is, you have to get up
and get on with your life.

I just keep wondering
what my life would've been,

had I grown up with
my real parents.

OK.

But where do you go from here?

[knocking]

[sighs] Thank you for coming.

About the money--

Carlina, nobody told us
to set up that trust fund.

We had it for 21 years.

And if I had to do
it all over again,

I never would've spent it.

It's not about the money.

You could have told me.

But I'm just tired of people
keeping things from me.

I'm sorry.

Why didn't you look harder?

Excuse me?

Anyone who knows me, knows how
much I want to find my parents.

I searched and searched for you.

Why didn't you look harder?

Carlina, you have no
idea how hard we looked.

I knocked on more doors,
I passed out more flyers,

than you could ever imagine.

We couldn't find you, but
we never stopped looking.

Sorry.

There's been so much pain.

I just want you to
be happy, Carlina.

But I'm just not ready.

I'm not ready to
leave my whole life

and start over as Carlina White.

You know, for
the past 23 years,

I've talked to you in my
head, and in my dreams.

All this time, you've
been part of my life.

And you've only just
found out about me.

We'll take it slow.

My name is Joy White, and
I'm here to see Ann Pettway.

Does she know you're coming?

No.

Park over there.

I'll put you through security.

[buzzer]

I could just slap that
smile off your face.

Is that why you're here?

I came here because I have
to find a way to forgive you.

Why did you do it to me?

From over here, it don't look
like nothing been done to you.

What you so upset for?

You got her now.

I may have Carlina now, but
you stole 23 years of my life.

I wasn't there when Carlina
took her first step.

I didn't get to see
her go to the prom.

I wasn't there when
she had my grandbaby.

Those are moments
I'll never have.

I lost three babies.

I lost a child.

I didn't go around
stealing nobody's baby.

See, that's what I'm saying.

You lost one.

I lost three.

I heard you got two more now.

They told me I
couldn't have none.

No excuse.

I needed that child, OK?

I saw y'all on TV, and I
thought about giving her back.

But then Netty
would look up at me.

People started saying
we looked alike.

They even called her Little Ann.

Every day she became
more and more mine.

She wasn't yours,
she was mine!

I fed her!

I clothed her.

I taught her right from wrong.

That little girl, who
you parading around

on TV and everything,
I did that!

You should be thanking me.

I should be thanking you?

Thank me.

It's taking all I've got
not to jump across this table

and kill you.

I know you hate me.

But I know somebody like you,
you'll never understand this.

Somebody like you, you know,
you've got a lot of love

in your life.

Me?

I've been loving people,
and loving people,

and doing for people.

It's one thing to love
somebody, but it's another thing

for somebody to love you back.

Netty loved me back.

I ain't never felt before.

[whimpers]

You could have taken any
other child in that nursery.

Why'd you take mine?

Was it because I was young?

It didn't have nothing
to do with you, Mrs. White.

It had everything
to do with me!

It had everything to do with me!

On August 4, 1987, I
went to Harlem Hospital.

I took a child.

I got back on the
train, I went back home,

and I raised her as my own.

I knew it was wrong.

Ann Pettway, you've
pleaded guilty to one count

of kidnapping.

In light of your confession,
the court hereby sentences you

to 12 years in prison.

That's it?

That's what our sufferings were?

I thought it was a
mandatory life sentence.

She plea bargained.

I lost you.

I lost my family.

I lost everything.

We got to appeal this.

We just got to live with it.

All of it.

I have a few questions
for you, Carlina.

Or would you prefer I
called you Nejdra or Netty?

I'm not Nejdra.

That's the name that
was forced on me.

Not Carlina.

That's the name that
was taken from me.

My name is Netty.

That's the name that
feels more like me.

The name that feels
most like home.

[music playing]

Grandma!

[sentimental music playing]