The woman accused of kidnapping and killing 2-year-old Nalani Johnson pleaded guilty Friday, just weeks before her trial was set to begin.
27-year-old Sharena Nancy, the woman who kidnapped Nalani on August 31, 2019, smothered her and left her strapped into her car seat in the woods of Indiana County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty Friday to third-degree murder and kidnapping.
The plea agreement called for a sentence of 15 to 30 years in state prison. She will get credit for the 2½ years she has already served.
When asked if she had anything to say on her own behalf, Nancy, replied, “No, your honor.”
Allegheny County Deputy District Attorney Stephie Ramaley told the court on Friday that Nancy had been at Kennywood the afternoon of August 31, 2019, with Nalani, the girl’s father Paul Johnson and his friend. They returned to Penn Hills around 5 p.m., but after Johnson and his friend got out of her black Toyota Yaris, Nancy sped off with Nalani still in her car seat.
Johnson tried to call Nancy several times, but she didn’t answer. Penn Hills police were called and issued an Amber Alert.
Nancy’s vehicle was stopped about two hours later on Rodi Road, but neither Nalani nor her car seat were inside.
Nancy told police she didn’t have any baby and denied any involvement.
Later, in an interview with county police and the FBI, Ramaley said Nancy told investigators that she took Nalani at Johnson’s request because he had sold her to another woman.
Nancy claimed to have met the woman on Route 22 and given Nalani to her.
For days, police and Nalani’s family searched for her. Ultimately, using video surveillance from businesses along the Route 22 corridor and cellphone tower data that tracked Nancy’s movements that day, a K-9 and the dog’s handler found Nalani, still strapped into her car seat, in Pine Ridge Park in Burrell Township near Chestnut Ridge Golf Course.
An autopsy showed she’d been suffocated.
When she was found, Nalani was wearing a black tank top with flamingos on it. In gold letters it read, “Born to shine.”
Nancy’s defense attorneys presented no evidence during Friday’s hearing and very little argument.
“It’s an unimaginable tragedy, and there is deep regret here in the courtroom on behalf of our client,” said attorney Anthony DeLuca.
DeLuca said that Nancy is a pleasant person who has served as a mentor to others at Allegheny County Jail. She has shown a willingness to improve her own life and that of those around her.
He also said that the tragedy is compounded because Nancy has two children of her own — a 7-year-old in New York City and a 3-year-old overseas.
In the middle of DeLuca’s comments, Paul Johnson quickly left the courtroom and could be heard upset in the hallway.
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