Girl taken as an infant defends kidnapper: She loved me for 18 years

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The teenager who learned she was abducted at birth is speaking out for the first time exclusively to ABC News about that stunning revelation.

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Despite being kidnapped as a newborn, Alexis Manigo still calls the woman accused of snatching her, "mom."

"That's what I want people to know," said Manigo. "That she was a great mother. I will never have malice for her. I will always love her."

Authorities say Gloria Williams pretended to be a nurse then stole Manigo from a hospital in Jacksonville, Fla, just hours after she was born.

Manigo, who was named Kamiyah Mobley by her parents, became the subject of an international manhunt by authorities.

Earlier in January, DNA testing revealed that the 18-year-old wasn't Williams' biological daughter.

Williams, 51, was arrested and charged with kidnapping Manigo. She made her first court appearance Wednesday and the judge offered no bail on the kidnapping charge.

"I understand what she did was wrong," Manigo told ABC News. "But just don't lock her up and throw away the key. She loved me for 18 years. She cared about me for 18 years."

After years of hoping, Manigo's biological parents met her for the very first time.

"I always knew I'd find her," said her father.

When asked about the other family, Manigo said, "It's just more love."

Manigo says she doesn't know when she will see Williams again, but she hopes it will be soon. For now, she remains in jail and is due back in court in three weeks.