A gruesome chapter concluded in Baltimore County as Nicole Johnson, a 36-year-old woman, received a sentence of up to 50 years in prison on charges of child abuse following a traffic stop in 2021 that led to the grim discovery of her niece and nephew's decaying bodies in her car. According to FOX Baltimore, the children, Joshlyn Johnson, aged 7, and Larry O'Neill III, aged 5, were found wrapped in garbage bags inside the trunk of Johnson's car after officers from the Essex precinct pulled her over due to the vehicle being uninsured and bearing a fake temporary West Virginia tag.

Johnson, who had her vehicle pulled over on Eastern Boulevard near Wagner's Lane for car insurance that was expired, was reportedly told about potential court dates by officers, to which she responded, "It don't matter, I won't be here in five days," and ominously predicted, "Y'all going to see me on the news, y'all going to see on the news making my big debut." WMAR-2 News reported these statements. Following the order to remove her belongings before towing the car, officers were struck by a strong odor, suspecting something dead in the vehicle, which led to the heart-wrenching find.

Baltimore County Circuit Judge Nancy M. Purpura sentenced Johnson to life in prison, suspending all but 50 years of it. The emotional weight of the sentencing was visibly apparent as Johnson held her face in her palms, overwhelmed by the verdict. The bodies of the children were found severely malnourished, with Joshlyn weighing only 18 pounds and Larry 21 pounds at the time of death. This information was detailed in the court proceedings and reported by WMAR-2 News.