why didn't she just got a ticket back to miami with the money he gave her?

How is your daughter doin now?

I am sorry, but a lot of this seems very fishy.

And her COMPLETE lack of accepting ANY of this responsibility is disgusting. I am not saying that she is a bad person. But she is not by any means innocent in all of this.

I think you are beautiful. What was your upbringing like that you didn't pull yourself together and think?

I watched the show and think its a very interesting and i can see it being an emotional ride for Kahlilah

I WOULD OF WENT BACK TO MIAMI

Now she is blaming Laura? Odd how everyone is at fault except her. Soon she is going to claim that the drug dogs conspired to get her.

Also, anyone pissed about how the commercial portray this show?

"Fact is better then Fiction"

Really? Then why are you using every trick in the book to make it look as fictionalized as possible? It feels WAY too stylized. Pull it back a tad.

I am VERY relieved to hear that the daughter is okay. I didnt want a child to suffer because the mother made some bad choices.

As a single mother who was living on peoples' couches...when one is given an opportunity to have a better life for your child...one will take it. Kahlilah's story is one of consequences from choices that we make. It is unfortunate, yet she learned soo much about herself through this process. I could not imagine what I would be willing to do for the safety of my children. As a mom, our first instinct is to protect our children. She thought that's what she was doing.

I too, am really glad that her daughter is okay. I only hope that Kahlilah will continue to share her story so she can heal more and be able to live.

learned helplessness

I think she is an example of a young person in America who is completely clueless on how the world works, has never had the opportunity to travel and therefore really didn't know the rules of the world. Unfortunately for her she had to find out the hard way. It seems as though Laura was a pro and this may not have been her first time doing this. I am very happy for Kahillah and her daughter now.

I believe that girl snitch on you... Do you think so?

As soon as he left, I would have gotten a plane ticket straight back tothe U.S. But, we can not blame her for this unfortunate nightmare that happened to her. Sometimes people don't think in ways that should have been obvious at the moment until later. I felt bad for her and wish her all the luck in the future with her daughter.

Another thing, if it was just me and my daughter its a packing, he would have got her a ticket to Panama tooo.. Who kept the daughter when they was away??? I must of miss that part

Her Mother kept her daughter

Saw the show. Found it very interesting that if she was suspicious that the bag contained drug, why didn't she just dump it off.

I am just glad my little cousin made it back home safely to her daughter. When you grow up like she did all Roy's look good to a young girl with a baby. No her choice was not the best for her daughter but when he gave her all the things she wanted it all looked good at that moment. Her life story can help the next young girl that run across Roy because there is more of him in the world. YY

Your daughter is beautiful..... Put God first in all your choice and you will never take that trip again in life......

Well I am glad she is home...

@Randie,

Didn't she say at the END that SHE took responsibility for her PART in the whole thing.. C'mon... give her a break! What would you do if you were faced between rock and hard place...

This girl knew all along what she was getting into, I don't buy one minute that she had no clue. She put her life at risk, and most of all her daughters life at risk, when she moved to Miami. Then the whole, "I didnt know what was in the bag?"...COME ONNNNNNNN...the only one I feel bad for is the daughter, and her mother should never be allowed to see her daughter,

Kahlilah how was the trip to my beloved dominican republic...sssshhhh...i wont tell...hope better than cuba..beautiful i bet...i have a bad story too...and believe u me ..never again...! u have a good one

why when she when't over the panama/costa rican boarder she only had 100.00 dollar's? and then she bought plane ticket to paris? something fishy goin on????????

I'm a retired DEA Agent, and after having spent many years involved in international and domestic drug interdiction investigations. Its enlightening to see inside the minds of couriers as they attempt to smuggle drugs.

Hmmm...I'm very glad that Kahlilah is back home and getting her life back together! I'm also hoping that every day the relationship towards her daughter strengthens as well...

Something seems fishy here...how could a "complete stranger" show up at a family gathering? Maybe he was a "friend of a friend" sent to wisk Kahlilah away into Florida paradise?!?! He's a "famous music producer?" Id've ask who he's produced, and checked any type of refrences/recordings he's made..

Moreover, I wouldnt've taken the back out of the hotel room! Id've called the police, and have them take the bag for investigation. Then nark on Roy! (He had stolen her return ticket for proof of association!!)

Pretty Crazy!!

This was an elaborate set-up on a person who happen to be a very vulnerable single parent. I have a lot of sympathy for Kahliah.
After all in her mind they were holding her daughter hostage.
I had so much empathy for this women that I wept.

first off there is alot of ignorance and intelligence here- as with any message board- so I will not argue with a fool because a passerby...

My sister made some mstakes and paid 6 years for her mistakes.

My niece graduated from 8th grade today.

The sorry people that manipulate people into situations and disregard multiple human lives for monetary reasons- eh?

Also we didn't know she was "Locked up Abroad" I picked up my niece at the airport and the American Embassy informed me 3 months later.

@tytiannah who are you?

My husband & I were touched and amazed by Kahillah's story- The wrong Decisions we ALL make in life and then the "Right Ones" where God overrules as we recognize our need to turn ourselves toward Him. "We know that in EVERYTHING God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28" I like to rephrase, to those who STRUGGLE to love Him- Forgive my "religiousosity"- I mean no disrespect to those who believe differently or don't believe at all.
Also, how is Kahillah doing financially, can we in some small ways contribute? If so How??
thank you, and I hope not to have offended anyone-

Lynz24

Okay. Allot of folks are passing judgement on this woman and don't have a clue of what she was going thru in Philly. As you sit in your suburban home typing on your laptop sipping Starbucks, don't Tavis Smiley her. Watch the show, listen to her side of the story, and accept the fact that we sometimes make the wrong decisions in life and hope others will learn from our mistakes. I'm glad she was able to get thru this and be able to reunite with her daughter. Many don't get this chance. Wake up folks! "Some of us weren't born with silver spoons in our mouths Ms. Hawkins".(Nino Brown, New Jack City) kevin7r@yahoo.com

Okay, coming from brokenss so to speak and this dude throwing all this money around I can understand going to Miami, but leaving your daughter was wild. I like her though, glad she made it through. I need to get her number.

Putting myself in her shoes: if I'm constantly struggling financially with no stable residence with a child and someone sweeps me off my feet a trip to Miami is understandable, but leaving my daughter is like whoa! I like her though, glad she made it through. I'd like to meet her in person.

Kahlilah, I know this was an ordeal for you and your family. I am not sure what you are doing now job wise, however use this as a way to help others who are currently in this position. No one knows (except other cubans) what Cubas prison system is like, you do. At the time this event occured you were the only female American locked up. Why don't you find out if there are any more Americans (males or females) imprisoned in Cuba and see what you can do to help them. Of course the system is a difficult one, but maybe letters or clothing or food items or whatever the Cuban system would allow may give them something to hold on to until their time is served.
What do you think Kahlilah?

This episode of Locked Up Abroad was BY FAR the most moving! I must say that I was a bit misty-eyed towards the end of the program, esp. when they showed current pics of Kahlilah and her daughter!

I hope that someday I could meet Kahliah and her daughter, and see how they're doing..

It's so easy for people to have an opinion about what she should and should not have done. The reality is that unless you're in the situation, you have no idea what decisions you will make. Khalilah, I commend you for acknowledging your mistakes and moving on with your life. It could have been worse. Best regards to you and your daughter!

What is your life like now as far as making it goes?

How did she gain entry to Cuba on an US passport without an exception for journalism or religious/educational mission? Also, I would think an American woman imprisoned in Cuba would be an international news story, but when I Google it I get nothing bit this episode of Locked Up Abroad. This is very odd.

I followed the different stories of young women her age at the time 22 or older, you have made similar choices. Young lady meet, nice man, has lots of money, promise the world, women on a plane, then here goes the story.
Women have gave "On line Lovers" thousand of $$, this is recent news. This show would never had existed if the "ex Locked Up Abroad" had took the drug off them, never accepted that fancy vacation, follow their gut instinct etc. The comments were always of pity, compassion and understanding.
It's always so easy for us to log on to google and check out the story, find the flaws. Maybe she got paid for her story?
Ask yourself this question, How low can you go? How much pain can you endure? What is your price?

Dear Viewers,
Please excuse my lateness but I am somewhat computer illiterate.I had learn how to blog once I came home.Computers were not as common as they are now so I had to learn a lot when I came home. You don't get such privileges in Cuba.For those of you that sent me your blessing I kindly Thank You ..I'll start off by saying my daughter is just fine through the mercy of God..I am not asking for sympathy all I ask is that you listen to my story and accept it for what it is,not what you precede it to be..My life consist of strife and struggle and I was tired of fighting.

How did she get out of it all, How did she get her daughter back, How is it possable that she just never heard of Roy again??..That part make no scens..its bazzar

I was so moved by this story. Of all the stories I viewed, this one gripped me the most. All I could think was "there before the grace of God go I." I don't have kids and I don't know what I would've done in that situation. I was just so happy that Roy took her daughter to Kahlilah's mother's house and that Kahlilah didn't have to serve the full sentence, in Cuba no less. Kahlilah, thank you for sharing your story. For me, it solidifies "the game" that people play when looking to use others. This ordeal must've made you a stronger mother to your beautiful daughter. Not many people get a second chance. I'm glad you did. May God bless you always.

I posted a comment on Monday, June 8. It was very lenghtly and I don't see it. Does anybody know how and when it will get posted? Concern.

You see Kahlilah when you met Roy you looked vulnerable and desperate so he thought I got the right one and took advantage of the situation. When it sounds too good to be true IT IS. You said 3 weeks later you and your daughter went to Miami. What were you thinking you are a single mother and in three weeks you and your daughter go and live with this guy. Let me just explain something to you, when you meet someone it takes years to really know that person and sometimes you still may not know them all that well especially if they keep certain things from you that they don’t want you to know.

Question:

What happen to your mother when you and your daughter were homeless because you said towards the end of the show that when Roy left you in Panama he took your daughter to your mother’s house? While locked up your mother raised your daughter until you got out of jail. Thank God for your Mom. You know Kahlilah one day when your daughter is old enough to understand; you seriously should think about telling her everything that happen to you in full detail so in the future this never happens to her by anyone.

Kahlilah, thank you for sharing your story. I won't even begin to make judgement. It's easy for me to sit on my laptop and say what I would have done, but never know what would have happened in reality. All bets are off when you are in another country. Any thoughts on writing a book?

Kahlilah, I can only say that I know all to well the emotions that your feeling. I saw your story and by the end I was in tears. I never thought that I would hear a story so much like mine. It's been about 5 1/2 years that i've been home now and I can't shake the what if question. I think how would my life be diffrent or my daughters for that matter. Like you I also have a daughter and what still hurts the most is the guilt of being away from her, how when I left thinking I would only be gone for a few days she was my little girl and how only in a year and a half I had missed so much. I know my year and a half doesn't compare to your six but you and I both know any time away from your kids is a life time. After all this time my guilt is still heavy and so like you I choose who I tell but the heavest of my guilt is for my daughter in a lot ways I still feel like i've let her down and most of all I feel like I lost a part of who I was. I just wanted to say thank you for having the courage to tell your story.

Tay,
Your so beautiful,your comment made me cry.Boo I know it"s hard to let go of the guilt and I know for sure how it feels to feel like you've lost apart of yourself....I just keep it moving that's all you really can do because when it comes down to it we can make plans ALL DAY LONG but the only one that knows without doubt is GOD All Mighty!! I can "reassure" you though that as long as you had a strong bond with your child before you left there is no time in the world that can break that...Please send me your e-mail address so we can wrap...May God Bless You & Your Baby Girl,she will ALWAYS BE! your baby girl I know you live within her..One Love..
Kahli Saleem

Hi Kahli!
Despite the negativity goin on here - I thought your story was interesting. I'm a Bmore native - we have to chat more (not in this public thing) I am dying to know how life was like when you came back. This city does not welcome people with open arms so I can only imagine how life was like...let me know if you want my personal email.

KAHLILAH I HAVE SO MANY QUESTION ABOUT YOUR STORY IF YOU CAN HIT ME UP AT KIM85102003@YAHOO.COM

Hey Kahlilah...are you still taking questions or comments?

Where did your daughter's biological father step in throughout this whole ordeal?

This chick is a liar and a great story teller. I didn't believe a word she said. She did this purely for the cash. Everything else was said to make her look good. She's probably still a criminal.

Just watched it here in NGC and one thing I don't understand is, why didn't you went to the US embassy in Panama straight after Roy left? They could have given you legal advise and contacted authorities in Miami to make sure your daughter is safe before turning their attention on Roy.

Kahil,

I just watched the story about your imprisonment in Cuba and was deeply touched and moved. I am not here to judge you based on the choices you made in your twenties. We all made bad choices in our twenties and who is to say that your choices were worse than anyone else. What is important is not what happened in the past but rather who you became as a result of what happened. In watching you talk about your ordeal I saw a very intelligent woman, who articulated herself very well, and even though I don't know you personally I can tell that you have grown significantly from this experience. Life is about making choices everyday, and what makes a person a success or failure is how they respond or handle the ramification of the choices that they have made. I admire you for being able to spend six years in prison in Cuba, a country that you were in for only a day, knew nothing of the custom or language and today you emerge as a stronger person for it. You made time serve you as oppose to you serving time. I enjoy watching the Locked-Up Abroad series, not to try to and figure out why people made the choices they did and judge them for it, but to see the strength of the human spirit when it is tested with adversity. So my sister learn from this experience and take pride in the fact that you discovered what type of person you are and you now know the true meaning of the expression that "What doesn't break you, makes you stronger."
Peace and Love.

King

Kahli, incredibly moving story. I'm so happy to see that you don't reply to stupid comments.
But please, sis, take your email addy of this board. You'll get even more retarded emails, not to mention bots and hackers.

peace & light,
ssv