Pittsburgh Toddler's Death Could Prompt PA Amber Alert Change

PITTSBURGH, PA - The death last year of a 2-year-old girl found dead days after her abduction could trigger a chance in Pennsylvania's Amber Alert law. A new bill in the state House known as the Nalani Johnson Rule would require the state's Missing Endangered Person Advisory System to be activated immediately when a parent or family member reports a child abduction.

In August, Nalani was abducted in Penn Hills by a woman with whom her father reportedly was romantically involved. Her body was discovered three days later in a park in Blairsville, Indiana County. She was still in her car seat.

Sharena Nancy, 25, was charged with criminal homicide and abuse of a corpse in connection with Nalani's death.

Nalani's father contacted police immediately after the girl was abducted, identified Nancy as the suspect and provided identifying vehicle information and the direction in which it was headed. But an Amber Alert wasn't issued for hour because of rigid guidelines police are required to follow before doing so.

State Rep. Tony DeLuca, the Penn Hills Democrat who introduced the legislation, said he was heartbroken over the incident.

“I can’t even imagine how torturous this was for her family,” DeLuca said. “This fall I
personally met with Nalani’s family and pledged to do whatever I could to help prevent this tragedy from ever striking another innocent family. I also have been working with their attorney, Eric Chaffin, to draft this legislation that I hope will move quickly to possibly save lives.”