The Pennsylvania toddler who was allegedly kidnapped over the weekend was found dead in a local nature park, authorities announced.
The body of 2-year-old Nalani Johnson was discovered Tuesday afternoon at Pine Ridge Park — three days after her father claimed rideshare driver Sharena Nancy drove off with the tot, Indiana County District Attorney Patrick Dougherty announced at a press conference, according to Action News 4.
Dougherty did not go into detail about the toddler’s death, or what led authorities to search that specific area.
An autopsy will officially determine how Nalani died.
Nancy, 25, is still being held on a kidnapping charge in connection with the Saturday incident, but authorities have not indicated whether she is considered a suspect in the little girl’s death.
Dougherty made reference to a woman who is “currently in custody,” without using her name, according to the report.
Sharena NancyAllegheny County Police“We believe that she is involved,” the DA said. “To what extent, that is still being determined.”
Nancy claimed the girl’s father, Paul Johnson, tried to sell his own daughter for $10,000. But investigators say there is no evidence to support the driver’s claims, WPXI reported.
Johnson told police he was riding with Nalani and a pal, Justin Rouse, in Nancy’s Toyota Yaris when she stopped the car at an intersection in Penn Hills. Johnson got out and when he went to retrieve Nalani, Nancy allegedly drove off.
There could still be additional arrests, Dougherty added, according to the report.
“Make no mistake, we are working very hard to ensure the individuals involved are brought to justice,” he said.
