GUILTY PA - Nalani Johnson, 2, Penn Hills Boro, Allegheny County, 31 Aug 2019 *Arrest* #2

[ilovechili]

If I were to be completely honest, as a mother myself- I truly would not want the park named after my child, if she had been found deceased there.

We're not talking about a little darling dying of cancer and they honor her by renaming a park in her memory, because she loved and played softball.

We're talking about this poor baby girl was dumped in her car seat and not found for a few days. As a parent, I probably would never want to go to the park again. It would upset and anger me.

If they wanted to build a playground in her honor elsewhere in that city/town, and her parents were ok with it, then fine.

Just my own thoughts, and I respect others for theirs.

BBM. This is a very good point and what I was trying to get across as well. In another case, they wanted to rename I think the highway exit for where a little girl's remains were found nearby and I felt that way as well. It was in another state than her home, she did not live there, it was where she was dumped like garbage and the details are not details that anyone who does not know needs or would want to hear.

Not that it is up to me, and I think people mean well, but I agree, build a playground.

To each their own though, I also respect people's opinions who see it otherwise and I know the intent is to honor the child...

Jmo.

 

[Steelslady]

BBM. This is a very good point and what I was trying to get across as well. In another case, they wanted to rename I think the highway exit for where a little girl's remains were found nearby and I felt that way as well. It was in another state than her home, she did not live there, it was where she was dumped like garbage and the details are not details that anyone who does not know needs or would want to hear.

Not that it is up to me, and I think people mean well, but I agree, build a playground.

To each their own though, I also respect people's opinions who see it otherwise and I know the intent is to honor the child...

Jmo.

I know, people do mean well. After my Dad died unexpectedly, the church had a tree planting ceremony shortly after. I just couldn't go! I was way too emotional. I couldn't even go inside the church- I went into the parlor behind it, or downstairs to help out at church functions, but that was months later when I was able to do that. Even when I walked down the aisle, I unfortunately saw my Dad's casket the closer I got to the altar for a few seconds in my mind.

I can't even imagine all these things that people who are well meaning are doing, and many expect the parents to go to all of these things! If I was that emotional as a young adult losing my father, I can't imagine the hell and pain these parents are going through. Surely, there are other ways to honor the little darlings, or at the very least, give it a year, then ASK the parents if it would be ok by them. Give them time to grieve! They just buried their baby before her 2nd birthday!

 

[ilovechili]

I know, people do mean well. After my Dad died unexpectedly, the church had a tree planting ceremony shortly after. I just couldn't go! I was way too emotional. I couldn't even go inside the church- I went into the parlor behind it, or downstairs to help out at church functions, but that was months later when I was able to do that. Even when I walked down the aisle, I unfortunately saw my Dad's casket the closer I got to the altar for a few seconds in my mind.

I can't even imagine all these things that people who are well meaning are doing, and many expect the parents to go to all of these things! If I was that emotional as a young adult losing my father, I can't imagine the hell and pain these parents are going through. Surely, there are other ways to honor the little darlings, or at the very least, give it a year, then ASK the parents if it would be ok by them. Give them time to grieve! They just buried their baby before her 2nd birthday!

I totally agree. People mean well, like even what you are saying with the tree planting. It takes time though. There are hospitals I cannot go into without seeing my last time there watching a brother, father, child die, etc. I think the sad thing is in the raw days of early on people reach out and want to do something and do not know what to do, but later when you might be able to cope and decide what to do to honor someone, others have moved on--not intentionally but they are not the ones with the loss. Whether it is fund raising, tree planting, vigils, memorials, naming a park, etc. It is all well meant I am sure. And some are necessary, like if someone is missing, to keep it in the news and help the parents for instance. It is advised that people who have suffered any loss of someone near to them wait at least a year before making any major decisions and I think you identify with that. Fund raise for something perhaps and hold it for the parents for when they have time to cope, grieve and decide what they want to do.

Jmo but I entirely agree with you. This was a child on top of it, someone's baby girl, a pretty brutal loss.

Again jmo.

 

[mks762]

BBM. This is a very good point and what I was trying to get across as well. In another case, they wanted to rename I think the highway exit for where a little girl's remains were found nearby and I felt that way as well. It was in another state than her home, she did not live there, it was where she was dumped like garbage and the details are not details that anyone who does not know needs or would want to hear.

Not that it is up to me, and I think people mean well, but I agree, build a playground.

To each their own though, I also respect people's opinions who see it otherwise and I know the intent is to honor the child...

Jmo.

Not to get too off topic about this but yes this reminds me of the Jennifer Renee Short memorial bridge, near where 9 year old Jennifer's body was found 30 minutes away from her home. Her parents were both murdered as well so they had no say, but I just cannot imagine having a bridge named after a loved one to mark where their remains were found. There's something somewhat macabre about it I guess.
Here's the Short Family's thread if you care to read about her:
VA - VA - Michael, 50, Mary, 36, & Jennifer Short, 9, Bassett, 15 Aug 2002
There's also a brand new podcast about the case. Episodes are being released every few days or so called Who Killed Jennifer Short?

 

[ilovechili]

Not to get too off topic about this but yes this reminds me of the Jennifer Renee Short memorial bridge, near where 9 year old Jennifer's body was found 30 minutes away from her home. Her parents were both murdered as well so they had no say, but I just cannot imagine having a bridge named after a loved one to mark where their remains were found. There's something somewhat macabre about it I guess.
Here's the Short Family's thread if you care to read about her:
VA - VA - Michael, 50, Mary, 36, & Jennifer Short, 9, Bassett, 15 Aug 2002
There's also a brand new podcast about the case. Episodes are being released every few days or so called Who Killed Jennifer Short?

I so agree. I do somewhat understand when a body is not found that people will go to the last place they knew where they were but still I would want a memorial maybe like near the swing she last played on in the back yard, but that is just me.

The Short case I have not read in awhile but I am familiar with it. It was compared to another unsolved case I believe and it brought me there when someone linked it.

I agree--this baby here has not even had justice served yet and well meaning people want to name a park where a child died? I just do not get it, call attention to these cases I entirely understand--but name a park that a child was found dead and abandoned and murdered?

It might just be me, but I do not get it...

 

[PommyMommy]

Rick Earle on Twitter
Breaking: Allegheny Co. district attorney still awaiting autopsy report on 2-year old Nalani Johnson. Says coroner conducting additional tests to determine if child died from asphyxiation. Woman charged with kidnapping still in jail and homicide charge pending. #wpxi

12:08 PM - 25 Sep 2019

Video: Coroner still doing tests to determine how Nalani Johnson died

​

 

[steeltowngirl]

Rick Earle on Twitter
Breaking: Allegheny Co. district attorney still awaiting autopsy report on 2-year old Nalani Johnson. Says coroner conducting additional tests to determine if child died from asphyxiation. Woman charged with kidnapping still in jail and homicide charge pending. #wpxi

12:08 PM - 25 Sep 2019

Video: Coroner still doing tests to determine how Nalani Johnson died

​

Thanks PommyMommy. How sad that we are all likely praying that asphyxiation was the cause of death. Unfortunately, that is the best case scenario, that Nalani was already gone before she was left out in that park.

 

[PommyMommy]

Thanks PommyMommy. How sad that we are all likely praying that asphyxiation was the cause of death. Unfortunately, that is the best case scenario, that Nalani was already gone before she was left out in that park.

It's horrifying. Actually, that doesn't even describe it adequately. Poor baby.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[TTF14]

Bump for Nalani.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

https://www.scribd.com/document_dow...id=475340564&uahk=6Vz4qrtoQ35EgeMkA46ah2JxwBQ

 

[PommyMommy]

https://www.scribd.com/document_dow...id=475340564&uahk=6Vz4qrtoQ35EgeMkA46ah2JxwBQ

I get "This link is invalid; it is for a different user."

Don't keep us in suspense! What is it?

 

[imstilla.grandma]

I get "This link is invalid; it is for a different user."

Don't keep us in suspense! What is it?

Oops. Here ya go. It’s probably old news. Idk
https://www.alleghenycounty.us/News/2019/Police-2019/6442468644.aspx

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Nadia Tillman, of Blairsville created the petition in early September, two days after Nalani Johnson — who would have turned two on Sunday — was found dead while still clothed and strapped into her car seat at Pine Ridge Park, according to Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr.

Tillman said she wants the park to be renamed to Nalani Johnson Park. If that cannot be done, she wrote on the petition’s website, there should be a playground installed in her honor.

“Pine Ridge will always be associated with this terrible tragedy, so might as well be used to allow Nalani’s memory to live on,” Tillman wrote. She is seeking 25,000 signatures that would have to appear before Indiana County officials; the park is county-owned.
Online petition seeks to rename Indiana site to Nalani Johnson Park | TribLIVE.com

 

[PommyMommy]

Oops. Here ya go. It’s probably old news. Idk
https://www.alleghenycounty.us/News/2019/Police-2019/6442468644.aspx

Thank you! Yes, it's from September 3 but a good review, nonetheless. Appreciate the corrected link. MOO

 

[SweetPeas56]

Did the coroner results ever come out? It literally hurts to come and check on Nalani's thread. But she weighs on my mind often. Hoping for answers and signs that point to no suffering

 

[PommyMommy]

Did the coroner results ever come out? It literally hurts to come and check on Nalani's thread. But she weighs on my mind often. Hoping for answers and signs that point to no suffering

Not yet. As of Sept 25, they were doing some additional testing. MOO

Rick Earle on Twitter
Breaking: Allegheny Co. district attorney still awaiting autopsy report on 2-year old Nalani Johnson. Says coroner conducting additional tests to determine if child died from asphyxiation. Woman charged with kidnapping still in jail and homicide charge pending. #wpxi

11:08 AM · Sep 25, 2019

 

[steeltowngirl]

Nadia Tillman, of Blairsville created the petition in early September, two days after Nalani Johnson — who would have turned two on Sunday — was found dead while still clothed and strapped into her car seat at Pine Ridge Park, according to Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr.

Tillman said she wants the park to be renamed to Nalani Johnson Park. If that cannot be done, she wrote on the petition’s website, there should be a playground installed in her honor.
View attachment 208143
“Pine Ridge will always be associated with this terrible tragedy, so might as well be used to allow Nalani’s memory to live on,” Tillman wrote. She is seeking 25,000 signatures that would have to appear before Indiana County officials; the park is county-owned.
Online petition seeks to rename Indiana site to Nalani Johnson Park | TribLIVE.com

BBM.

I haven't been a fan of renaming the park, as I would rather see it done in a place where Nalani LIVED. Similar to Delphi, where I’d not want the Monon High bridge renamed for Libby and Abby, but the new softball field is a wonderful memorial.

That said, Tillman makes a good point that there will always be a mental association between the park and Nalani.

Perhaps a new playground there, in her memory, isn’t such a bad idea.

 

[ilovechili]

BBM.

I haven't been a fan of renaming the park, as I would rather see it done in a place where Nalani LIVED. Similar to Delphi, where I’d not want the Monon High bridge renamed for Libby and Abby, but the new softball field is a wonderful memorial.

That said, Tillman makes a good point that there will always be a mental association between the park and Nalani.

Perhaps a new playground there, in her memory, isn’t such a bad idea.

I agree and believe I have said so earlier.

As nice of a thought as it is, there are some counties and areas in this country that if they started doing that, people would ask why one child gets that honor and the next murdered child does not. Thankfully I do not live in such areas but I can see why they cannot just start doing such a thing for one child, but not the next.

I would hope the family would take their time, be the one to make the decision and create a park, even a small one, or add a bench, etc. or piece of playground equipment to somewhere she did not die and enjoyed life.

Again, I get that it is well meant but I see where it cannot be the case. I went that way somewhat with Maleah. How do you decide which child gets that honor and which does not? And again they tend to be at the places of death or finding of the body.

Jmo though. Others certainly do not have to agree.

 

[TristanP]

BBM. This is a very good point and what I was trying to get across as well. In another case, they wanted to rename I think the highway exit for where a little girl's remains were found nearby and I felt that way as well. It was in another state than her home, she did not live there, it was where she was dumped like garbage and the details are not details that anyone who does not know needs or would want to hear.

Not that it is up to me, and I think people mean well, but I agree, build a playground.

To each their own though, I also respect people's opinions who see it otherwise and I know the intent is to honor the child...

Jmo.

I don’t think it ever came to pass, but people were trying to raise money for a park/play area in Georgia called “Cooper’s Tree House Memorial Park” in honor of Cooper Harris. Which is a great idea except...the office Ross sat in all day while Cooper was torturously dying of hyperthermia in the car in the parking lot was located at what was referred to as “The Treehouse”.

Never could quite understand why anyone thought calling a playground for him a “treehouse” was a great idea. The only thing worse would have been a car-themed playground.