Aunt Gets Life Sentence for Niece, Nephew Deaths

Nicole Johnson received a life sentence, with all but 50 years suspended, after being found guilty of the deaths of her niece and nephew, whose decomposing bodies were discovered in her car during a 2021 traffic stop in Essex, Maryland. The children, 7-year-old Joshlyn Johnson and 5-year-old Larry O'Neil, had been in her care since 2019 after their mother moved to Maryland. Johnson admitted to hitting Joshlyn in 2020, causing her death, and later placing her body in a suitcase in her trunk. Larry was found dead with an unspecified injury two months before the traffic stop, and Johnson placed him alongside his sister's remains. During the traffic stop, police discovered fake tags on Johnson's car, and upon inspection, a foul odor led to the grim discovery. Johnson was also ordered to serve probation and undergo mental health treatment upon release, with additional restrictions on contact with minors.