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Police Look To Build Case Against Woman Accused Of Kidnapping 2-Year-Old Nalani Johnson

BLAIRSVILLE, Pa. (KDKA) - The FBI is responsible for finding out whoever is responsible for the death of 2-year-old Nalani Johnson.

While the search for Nalani Johnson is unfortunately over, the investigation is just beginning.

The efforts of law enforcement officials now turn to building a case against 25-year-old Sharena Nancy, who is charged with kidnapping Johnson after an argument with Johnson's father, Paul.

Police say Johnson's father and Nancy were beginning a romantic relationship.

According to investigators, after taking off with Nalani, the alleged abductor Sharena Nancy's 2017 black Toyota Yaris with Lyft and Uber stickers on the front passenger-side windshield drove east on Route 22, all the way to the Blairsville, Indiana County, area. She was stopped around 7:30 p.m. along Rodi Road by a Penn Hills Police officer.

sharena-nancy
(Source: Allegheny County Jail)

Police shared the photo of a gray car seat they said is similar to the one Johnson was in when she was taken.

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The authorities said when they stopped Nancy on Saturday evening, the car seat was nowhere to be found.

Police are hopeful businesses along the stretch of Route 22 between Blairsville and Murrysville can fill in the evidentiary gaps in their investigation.

nalani car seat
(Photo Credit: Allegheny County Police Department)

Nancy has reportedly given police different stories.

Law enforcement officials addressed the media on Tuesday night, saying there isn't much they can share about Nalani Johnson's death as the investigation is ongoing.

Superintendent Coleman McDonough of the Allegheny County Police Department sent out a statement, saying in part:

"On behalf of the men and women of the Allegheny County Police Department, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Nalani Johnson. We are grateful to you for your cooperation and support during the investigation."

The statement also said they would "be remiss" if they didn't thank the people who submitted tips and helped with the search.

They continue to ask business owners and citizens along Route 22 to contact the Allegheny County Police Department.

Anyone with information on the disappearance of Johnson is asked to call the Allegheny County tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.

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