ESSEX, MD—The aunt of two children that were found deceased during an Essex traffic stop in 2021 has been sentenced to prison.

A Baltimore County judge has sentenced Nicole M. Johnson to life in prison, with all but 50 years suspended.

At just after 11 p.m. on July 28, officers conducted a traffic stop on Eastern Boulevard near Wagners Lane (21221).  During the stop, the officers found the bodies of Johnson’s 7-year-old niece, Joshlyn Johnson, and 5-year-old nephew, Larry O’Neil, in the trunk of her vehicle.

The deceased minors were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. and the driver of the vehicle, Nicole Johnson, was taken into custody.

Johnson, of the 3500-block of Elmora Avenue (21213), was charged with first-degree child abuse that resulted in the death of a child under the age of 13.

In addition to this week’s life sentence, Johnson also received 5 years probation and was ordered to obtain mental health treatment. Additionally, the judge prohibited Johnson from having any contact with children under the age of 18.