Viewers of the recent “Iyanla Fix My Life” episode featuring Kamiyah Mobley were shocked to see the 20-year-old screaming profanity and threatening Vanzant during a tense therapy session.
Mobley was kidnapped from a hospital in Jacksonville on July 20, 1998 by Gloria Williams, who is now serving 18 years in prison. Williams took the newborn back to her home in South Carolina, where she raised Kamiyah as Alexis Manigo for the next 18 years.
In the episode of “Iyanla Fix My Life,” Kamiyah tells Vanzant that her mother, Shanara Mobley, backed out of her scheduled appearance at the last minute.
She indicated that her mother was upset with her for calling Williams “mom” and for posting photos of Williams on her Instagram.com page.
“We actually talked today. I still do call her Mom,” Kamiyah said in a recent interview with ABC News of her weekly contact with Williams.
In an interview with the Daily Mail UK, Shanara said she blocked her daughter’s phone number after she gave her an ultimatum — me or Williams — and Kamiyah chose Williams.
“It’s like a tug of war between us. Whenever I feel like I’m winning her back, boom the other side pulls me down,” Shanara said as she fought back tears. “Nobody acknowledges my pain. I feel like I’m being robbed all over again every time she [Gloria Williams] reaches out to my daughter.”
Shanara was only 15 when she fell pregnant with Kamiyah. She was 16 when she gave birth nine months later. Kamiyah’s father, Craig Aiken, was incarcerated on statutory rape charges when his daughter was born.
Shanara explained the moment she last saw her newborn daughter 8 hours after she gave birth. She was still groggy from the epidural when a “nurse” wearing blue surgical scrubs and gloves walked into the hospital room.
“She seemed to be really nice and so kind but she was evil at the same time. She was a devil dressed up in sheep’s clothing. I let her hold the baby and now that I look back on that day, she looked at the baby as if she was perfect. She looked at her like, yeah, this is the one,” Shanara said.
Shanara explained the deep depression she suffered for 18 years coupled with the emotional trauma of knowing the detectives — and everyone else — assumed she sold her baby to the kidnapper.
Shanara settled with the hospital for $1.8 million. Kamiyah’s father unsuccessfully sued the hospital after he was released form prison.
By the time Shanara reunited with Kamiyah 18 years later, she had given birth to 5 more children.
Shanara assumed her daughter would merge seamlessly into her new family.
“When we first met we were inseparable. We talked every day. I felt she would just come on into our lives. I didn’t know the kidnapper had such a hold on her. I can that it’s my child but I can also see traits from the kidnapper in her.”
After discovering the settlement money had been spent, Kamiyah went back to Williams’ home in South Carolina.
Mother and daughter saw each other again at Williams’ trial last month, where Shanara’s frustration got the best of her.
“I am your mother, Kamiyah!” she shouted at her daughter across the courtroom.
Shanara said her arguments with Kamiyah escalated and she was tired of being disrespected by her.
“She’s blocked now because I don’t want to argue with her. I’m tired of being hurt. I’m not saying there’s not a time that we can get closer but I really should not have to compete with that woman.”
Even though Williams is incarcerated for her crimes, Shanara says she can not forgive her daughter’s kidnapper.
“I pray to God He changes my heart towards you but I hate you and that hate is very, very, very strong. Help me to forgive you. Just let my baby go. Please let my baby go. If you feel any sympathy for me let her go please. I’m not saying that as a bitter, angry woman. I’m saying it as a mother was robbed 20 years ago—and still counting.”
Watch the full episode of “Iyanla Fix My Life” below.
