NEW YORK, US - New York police renewed their search for the kidnapper of a woman who was abducted 23 years ago and recently reunited with her family, officials said on Thursday.

Carlina White, 23, was reunited with her family this week after being kidnapped as a newborn from Harlem Hospital in 1987, police said.

Unaware of her true identity, White was raised as Nejdra Nance with a family in Bridgeport, Connecticut, about 45 miles east of her biological parents' home.

She became suspicious when her Connecticut family was unable to provide her with a birth certificate or Social Security number. She tracked down her biological parents in New York City through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

"Carlina was a missing link, and we have gotten her back in the name of Jesus. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!" said Pat Conway, White's godmother.

New York Police Detective Joseph Cavitolo said Carlina's mother Joy had just given birth in the hospital and gave the baby to a woman who was disguised as a nurse.

Carlina's grandmother, Elizabeth White, said the family always remained optimistic.

"I never gave up hope," she said. "We always thought one day she would come back. I never thought she had died."

While there was an investigation at the time to locate the child, the trail grew cold, police said.

The investigation has resumed now that White has been found, police said.

They used DNA testing this week to confirm she was the missing child.