Local

1998 missing Jacksonville newborn found in South Carolina; 51-year-old woman arrested

Mobley (shown here in 1998) was discovered living in South Carolina. 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The newborn that was taken in 1998 from a Jacksonville hospital was found in South Carolina, officials said.

Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams, State Attorney Melissa Nelson, FBI Jacksonville Office Special Agent in Charge Charles Spencer and FDLE case Agent Michelle O’Neil made the announcement Friday afternoon in the case of missing Kamiyah Mobley.

Kamiyah Mobley was taken on July 10, 1998 hours after being born at University Medical Center, which is now UF Health Jacksonville.

The only picture at the time of Kamiyah was a composite because she was taken just hours after being born. There was also a sketch of the woman who took Kamiyah, who pretended to be a nurse. Neither have been located -- until now.

Officials received more than 2,500 tips related to the case. Two tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led officials to Walterboro, South Carolina.

In Walterboro, South Carolina, officials found a young woman with the same date of birth but with a different name and fraud documents. Officials said they took DNA of the woman in South Carolina and compared it to the DNA that was taken from the missing newborn. The results came back Thursday night as a match to the missing newborn, Kamiyah.

Officials are not releasing the name that the missing girl has lived under for the last 18 years. But, police said the victim appears to be in good health.

The suspect Gloria Williams, 51, was arrested Friday morning at her home in South Carolina.

Williams is charged with kidnapping and interference with custody. There is no statute of limitations in the case and she could face life in prison. She will be extradited back to Jacksonville.

Jacksonville police said they believe the victim may have known she was a kidnapping victim.

There is no other suspects at this time. JSO said it is still an ongoing investigation.

The biological family was notified Friday and they were elated, JSO said.

Officials said any contact between Kamiyah Mobley and her biological family in Jacksonville will be up to her as she is now an adult, officials said.

Action News Jax is following the story. Watch CBS47 Action News Jax at Noon and follow us on Twitter @ActionNewsJax for the latest. 

Download the Action News Jax News app and First Alert Weather app