UPDATE: Forensic pathologists performing the autopsy on two-year-old Nalani Johnson of Penn Hills, whose body was found in the Pine Ridge Park area of Burrell Township on Tuesday afternoon, have ruled her death a homicde.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zapalla said on Wednesday that Johnson died on Saturday, the same day she was kidnapped. The forensic pathologist will not give a cause of death until he reviews the toddler’s medical records and a few more tests are run, which could take up to five weeks.
During a meeting in Greensburg on Wednesday with high-ranking law enforcement officials, it was decided that Allegheny County would handle the prosecution of the main suspect at this time, 25-year-old Sharena Islam Nancy of Penn Hills, but that Indiana County District Attorney Patrick Dougherty would remain involved. Allegheny County police will continue to lead the investigation, which will be assisted by the FBI.
WHAT WE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED
Authorities are continuing to investigate the death of two-year-old Nalani Johnson, the Penn Hills toddler whose body was found in Pine Ridge Park in Burrell Township on Tuesday afternoon, and there has been very little information released.
There was a jurisdictional meeting scheduled yesterday involving the district attorney’s office and various law enforcement agencies from both Allegheny and Indiana counties, as well as the FBI. And no results have been released from an autopsy that was scheduled to be performed yesterday. One Pittsburgh media source, KDKA TV, reported that Nalani’s body was found in her car seat and had no visible signs of trauma, but – again – authorities have not said anything.
Meanwhile, a makeshift memorial of stuffed animals, balloons, and pictures continues to grow at Pine Ridge Park as people try to cope with the senselessness of Nalani’s death. A Candlelight Vigil for Nalani is to take place Thursday evening at the Blairsville Amphitheater. There have also been suggestions to add a permanent bench at the park in her honor.
A change.org online petition has been started to rename Pine Ridge Park after Nalani, or at least to install a playground there as a memorial. As of this morning, more than 4,000 people had signed it, with a goal of 5,000. The county commissioners would have to make that designation.
Here is the link to the petition:
https://www.change.org/p/blairsville-residents-nalani-johnson-park?source_location=petitions_browse
