The Indiana County District Attorney announced more “individuals” may be connected with the death of a 1-year-old toddler who was allegedly kidnapped on Saturday.
Several law enforcement agencies were involved in locating little Nalani Johnson, a toddler girl found dead at the Pine Ridge Park in Indiana County on Tuesday afternoon. It’s still unclear how the child died, but police suspect that 25-year-old Sharena Islam Nancy is involved.
On Saturday, authorities arrested Nancy after Nalani’s father, Paul Johnson, accused the woman of taking his daughter. Johnson called 911 a little after 5 p.m. on Saturday and said he got a ride from Nancy, who worked as an Uber and Lyft driver. His daughter and his friend Justin Rouse were also in the car.
According to police, an argument broke out inside Nancy’s vehicle. She demanded the men get out of her car, but she allegedly fled the scene before Johnson could get Nalani out of the vehicle. It’s unclear what the argument was about, but police said Johnson and Nancy were in an “intermittent” romantic relationship.
WATCH LIVE: Law enforcement officials are holding a press conference in regards to Nalani Johnson. Sources told KDKA the missing Penn Hills toddler has been found dead. Read more: https://cbsloc.al/2ktajB1
Posted by KDKA-TV | CBS Pittsburgh on Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Police detained Nancy off of Rodi Road in Penn Hills on Saturday evening at around 7:30 p.m. The little girl and her car seat were not inside the vehicle. Nancy allegedly claimed she dropped the little girl off with an unknown person after Johnson sold his child for $10,000.
Authorities have found no evidence to back up Nancy’s story.
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However, additional arrests in the case may follow, according to Indiana County District Attorney Patrick Dougherty
“Make no mistake, we are working very hard to ensure the individuals involved are brought to justice,” Dougherty said.
Nalani was found in a wooded area, according to CBS Pittsburgh, who had reporters on the scene as police cordoned off the area with crime scene tape.
Law enforcement officers filed inside a home close to the park and brought out numerous items. It’s unclear at this time who lives in the home or how it’s connected to the case.
An autopsy on Nalani is scheduled for tomorrow to determine the cause and manner of death.
The story is developing. Check back for further details.
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[Feature Photo: Nalani Johnson/Facebook]
