MEREDITH VIEIRA, co-host: But we begin this half-hour with the latest on the woman who has now admitted to kidnapping a baby from a New York hospital 23 years ago. On Monday, she came face-to-face in court with the family of Carlina White . Tom Llamas from WNBC here in New York has details. Tom , good morning.
TOM LLAMAS reporting: Good morning, Meredith . According to court documents, Ann Pettway told the FBI she came to this hospital in August of 1987 , spotted Carlina White and took the baby and simply just walked out, taking the train back home to Connecticut with an infant she would call her own. Now 23 years later Pettway 's in custody and says she's sorry.
Mr. CARL TYSON: It was really sad seeing her, all right, really sad.
LLAMAS: It was an emotional day in court for Carl Tyson , Carlina White 's father, seeing the woman authorities say stole his infant daughter 23 years ago. Do you believe she's sorry?
Mr. TYSON: I want to know if she's sorry because I don't know why she did that. Why? I just want to know why.
LLAMAS: According to the criminal complaint, Ann Pettway confessed to an FBI agent, admitting she kidnapped Carlina White because she believed it was the only way she could become a mother. In the confession, Pettway said she was dealing with the stress of trying to be a mom and had had several miscarriages. According to the complaint, she admitted snatching Carlina from Harlem Hospital and once back home in Bridgeport , Connecticut , Pettway told her friends and family members that the victim was her child.
Mr. ROBERT BAUM (Defense Attorney for Accused Kidnapper Ann Pettway): Ms. Pettway was and is a good mother and she is fully supported 100 percent by her family members in this matter.
LLAMAS: The daughter Pettway called Nejdra started having suspicions about her past when Pettway couldn't produce a birth certificate. The 23-year-old set out to find her true identity and help break her own two decade old kidnapping cold case . Police say DNA confirmed that Nejdra was really Carlina White . After 23 long years, Carlina recently reunited with her biological parents. But according to Pettway 's attorney, Carlina hasn't cut ties with the family of the woman now charged with kidnapping her.
Mr. BAUM: My understanding is that the person you've identified as the victim was, in fact, with Ms. Pettway 's family and, in fact, is -- has her own child being cared for by Ms. Pettway 's sister. We're hoping that she will come forward in support of Ms. Pettway .
LLAMAS: In the confession, Pettway said her actions were totally unacceptable and that she's truly sorry. Although Pettway could face a life sentence , some legal experts say the court may show mercy.
Mr. JAY FAHY (Former Federal Prosecutor): This woman is troubled. She had a number of miscarriages early in her -- in her life and I suspect the feds, knowing that, are not going to look for life in prison but would easily look for 10, 12 years, something like that.
LLAMAS: But experts say that may depend on Carlina White and what she tells authorities happened during those 23 years she thought Pettway was her mother.
Mr. FAHY: The most important factor in this case is going to be Carlina . If she says that she was abused in any way, that's going to be a big factor in what the feds are looking for in this case.
LLAMAS: Pettway is being held without bail. Her attorney is no stranger to high profile cases. He recently defended Anna Chapman , dubbed here in the tabloids "Russia's Sexy Spy." Pettway has yet to enter a plea. Meredith :
Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46335627/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/
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