37 Facts About Carlina White

The Abduction of Carlina White

Carlina White's story is one of the most extraordinary child abduction cases in U.S. history. Her journey from being kidnapped as an infant to reuniting with her biological parents 23 years later is filled with twists and turns. Here are 37 key facts about her case:

1. Carlina Renae White was born on July 15, 1987, at Harlem Hospital in New York City.

2. Just 19 days after her birth, she was abducted from the hospital on August 4, 1987.

3. The primary suspect in Carlina's abduction is Ann Pettway, who had suffered multiple miscarriages and had a history of petty crimes.

4. Pettway's motivation for the kidnapping was her desire for a child.

5. At the time of the abduction, the hospital's surveillance cameras were not working, complicating the investigation.

6. Witnesses described seeing a woman dressed as a nurse at the hospital earlier that night.

Life with Ann Pettway

Carlina was raised by her abductor, Ann Pettway, under a different name. This section explores her life during those years.

7. Carlina was raised by Ann Pettway in Bridgeport, Connecticut, about 45 miles from her biological parents.

8. Pettway renamed her Nejdra "Netty" Nance and raised her as her own child.

9. Ann Pettway had an abusive childhood, with her mother frequently beating her with belts and extension cords.

10. Pettway's traumatic upbringing may have contributed to her actions and desire for a child.

11. During Carlina's upbringing, Pettway committed several petty crimes, leading to her being placed on probation multiple times.

Discovering the Truth

Carlina's journey to uncover her true identity began when she needed her birth documents. This section details how she discovered the truth.

12. In 2005, Carlina became pregnant and needed her birth documents to benefit from free prenatal care.

13. When Pettway couldn't produce her birth certificate, Carlina began to investigate her past.

14. Carlina searched the internet for missing children cases and eventually called the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's hotline.

15. A birthmark on Carlina's right arm was a crucial piece of evidence that helped identify her.

16. The center cross-referenced this detail with its records of missing children, narrowing the search to two cases, one of which was Carlina White.

17. Forensic units compared baby pictures of Carlina with a photo of her at 19 days old, and they appeared to be a match.

18. DNA swabs from Carlina's biological parents were taken for comparison.

Reuniting with Biological Parents

The reunion with her biological parents was a significant moment in Carlina's life. This section covers the events leading up to and following the reunion.

19. Before the DNA results were in, Carlina decided to contact her biological mother, Joy White.

20. Joy was on her way home from work when the phone rang, and she was initially hesitant but eventually confirmed that the call was from her daughter.

21. When Joy mentioned the birthmark, Carlina was overwhelmed and realized that the reunion was real.

22. Carlina then contacted her biological father, Carl Tyson, but found the interaction more awkward compared to her mother.

23. The reunion was met with intense media scrutiny, putting pressure on the family.

24. This, combined with a misunderstanding over a trust fund established for Carlina, led to her estrangement from her biological parents.

Legal Proceedings and Aftermath

Ann Pettway faced legal consequences for her actions. This section discusses the trial and its impact on Carlina.

25. Despite discovering the truth, Carlina initially agreed to testify on Pettway's behalf at her trial.

26. This decision was influenced by her loyalty to Pettway, who had raised her.

27. However, after several months, Carlina reconnected with her biological parents individually, stating that the issue over settlement funds was "just a misunderstanding".

28. Ann Pettway pleaded guilty to kidnapping and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

29. Pettway was paroled after serving 9 years and 2 months.

30. Carlina continues to use her legal name, Carlina White, on official documents but prefers to go by "Netty" in public.

Carlina's Advocacy and Public Life

Carlina has used her experience to help others. This section highlights her advocacy work and public appearances.

31. In 2014, Carlina spoke at the Crimes Against Children Conference, sharing her experience to help combat child victimization.

32. The true story of Carlina White was portrayed in the Lifetime film "Abducted: The Carlina White Story".

33. Carlina's case is one of the longest known gaps in an abduction case where the victim was reunited with their biological family in the United States.

34. Carlina has expressed loyalty to Pettway despite discovering she was her kidnapper.

35. The abduction and subsequent reunion had a significant psychological impact on Carlina.

36. Carlina's case received extensive media coverage due to its unusual length and complexities.

37. Carlina continues to advocate for victims of child abduction, using her experience to help others navigate similar situations.

Carlina White's Remarkable Journey

Carlina White's story is nothing short of extraordinary. Abducted as an infant, she spent 23 years living under a different identity. Her determination to uncover the truth about her past led to a reunion with her biological parents, a moment filled with both joy and complexity. The case highlights the importance of DNA evidence in solving long-standing mysteries and the resilience of those affected by such traumatic events. Carlina's experience also underscores the psychological impact of abduction and the challenges of rebuilding relationships after such a revelation. Her advocacy work and public speaking engagements aim to support other victims of child abduction, offering hope and guidance. Carlina's journey from victim to advocate serves as a powerful reminder of human resilience and the enduring quest for identity and justice.