Shivangi Sinha
Lifetime’s ‘Abducted: The Carlina White Story‘ is based on the real-life case of the titular woman. At just 19 days old, she was taken to a hospital for an infection when she was abducted by Annuggetta Pettway, who went on to raise her as her own daughter. Growing up, Carlina never knew the truth about her identity. Years later, as she was preparing to become a mother herself, she began to question her past. Her doubts led her to uncover the shocking reality that she had been kidnapped as a newborn, and it sparked one of the most remarkable abduction cases in history.
Carlina White’s Questions About Her Identity Arose Due to a Birth Certificate
Carlina Renae White was born on July 15, 1987, to Joy White and Carl Tyson in New York City, New York. As per reports, she swallowed fluid during delivery and developed an infection with a high fever at just 19 days old. Her parents rushed her to the hospital, where she was placed on intravenous antibiotics. In the middle of the night, between 2:30 and 3:30 am, Carlina vanished. She was taken by Annugetta “Ann” Pettway, who posed as a nurse and had previously spoken with her parents. Unfortunately, the hospital’s surveillance cameras were not functioning at the time, leaving investigators with no leads. It reportedly became the first known case of an infant kidnapping from a New York City hospital.
Carlina was given the name Nejdra “Netty” Nance by Pettway, who raised her in Bridgeport, Connecticut. In 1998, Pettway had a son, Trevon Teele, who grew up as Carlina’s half-brother. She attended Thomas Hooker School and later graduated from Warren Harding High School in 2005. Throughout Carlina’s childhood, Pettway faced legal troubles, including probation on three occasions and a guilty plea for embezzling money and clothing from Hudson Belk. In 2005, when Carlina was expecting her own child, she requested her birth certificate to secure health insurance. Pettway provided one, but when officials determined it was falsified, Carlina’s suspicions began to grow.
Carlina eventually confronted Pettway, who admitted she was not her biological mother. The latter claimed that Carlina had been abandoned by a drug-addicted parent, but she doubted the story. Determined to find answers, the then-23-year-old began searching online databases such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. There, she came across baby photos listed under the name Carlina White, which strongly resembled both her infant self and her newborn daughter, Samani. She contacted the authorities and was soon connected with her birth family. In January 2011, a DNA test confirmed that she was indeed the missing child reported decades earlier.
Carlina White and Her Birth Parents Allegedly Had a Brief Fallout
On January 21, 2011, police issued a warrant for Ann Pettway on charges of violating her probation from a previous conviction for attempted embezzlement. On January 23, she surrendered at Bridgeport. By that point, Carlina White only wanted to understand the reason behind her actions. According to court records, Pettway had experienced multiple miscarriages before 1987. When she abducted baby Carlina, she believed she would never be able to have a child of her own. In 2012, Carlina and her biological family attended Pettway’s trial, during which Pettway offered an apology. Following her reunion, Carlina was also introduced to her extended family, where relatives noted she “just fit right in.”
One of her aunts shared in an interview that they enjoyed dinner together and had the chance to meet Samani as well. Carlina was 23 when she was reunited with her family, though soon after, speculations began to circulate. It was reported that Carlina’s attorney advised her to ask her parents about the $750,000 settlement they had received from the hospital in 1993. However, they explained that the money had already been spent and the trust fund established for her could only be claimed if she had been found before turning 21. By July 2011, it was alleged that she had a falling out with her biological parents and was even prepared to testify for Ann Pettway at her trial. However, she later reconciled with her parents, clarifying that it was a misunderstanding.
Carlina White Currently Leads a Fulfilling Life With Her Daughter By Her Side
Carlina White, who legally retains her birth name, has often expressed that she prefers to go by “Netty,” as it is the only name that was not given to her by either Ann Pettway or her biological parents. Embracing that identity has been an important part of her healing journey. Over the years, she has become an advocate for children affected by crime, using her experience to raise awareness and inspire resilience. In 2014, she spoke at the Crimes Against Children Conference, sharing her story and lending her voice to the fight against child abduction and exploitation.
She has also made appearances at events such as the Hope Awards in 2019, continuing her advocacy work while balancing her personal life. Much of her focus in recent years has been on raising her daughter, who celebrated her 18th birthday in May 2023 and has since been drafted into the Army. Carlina and her daughter have enjoyed trips together, including visits to Las Vegas, Nevada, and relaxing beach holidays. Currently living in Atlanta, Georgia, Carlina is self-employed as an entrepreneur, though she has kept details about her business private.
Read More: Abducted The Carlina White Story: Filming Locations and Cast Details
