In the 1980s, federal authorities dismantled a drug ring smuggling thousands of pounds of marijuana. Among those arrested was a pregnant woman who gave birth while serving her sentence. Decades later, the daughter she delivered became a star.

The woman, Connie, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for her role in smuggling marijuana from Jamaica into the United States. She had just started serving her sentence when she delivered her daughter.

The child’s father, grandfather, and aunt were also involved in the operation and were arrested for their roles in the drug ring. Despite this turbulent beginning, the baby girl would go on to build a career far removed from her family’s dark past.

Her Start as a Baby in Federal Custody

The drug-smuggling operation Connie and her family were involved in was among the largest of its kind in the 1980s. It trafficked over 1,200 pounds of marijuana from Jamaica to the United States.

Federal authorities dismantled the operation, leading to the arrests of multiple family members, including Connie, her partner Doug, her father, and her sister Judy.

Judy’s role in the operation gained further notoriety when she escaped from prison. Her escape made national headlines, and she became the first woman to ever appear on the U.S. Marshals’ 15 Most Wanted List.

The dismantling of the drug ring left much of the family incarcerated, with Connie serving her sentence while her newborn spent her first few months in a halfway house.

A Childhood Marked by Challenges

After spending the first few months of her life in a halfway house, the child was sent to live with her grandmother in Marco Island, Florida. Connie, who had received a 10-year sentence, was released after serving just 16 months and reunited with her daughter.

By then, the family was trying to recover from the upheaval caused by the arrests. Despite the challenges, her childhood in Florida had its bright spots. She later reflected on moments of joy, such as playing outside and going to the beach.