NICOLE MICHELLE JOHNSON | Woman Sentenced to 50 Years After Remains of Niece, Nephew Found in Trunk During Traffic Stop | Bragged to Cops She Would Be Making Her 'Big Debut' on the News | ALS

Nicole Johnson. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Capital District, MD. March 4, 2025. Content unknown. SEALED.

The Tragic Betrayal: The Nicole Michelle Johnson Case

Basic Information

Nicole Michelle Johnson, born in 1988, was a resident of Baltimore, Maryland. As of February 2025, she is serving a 50-year prison sentence in a Maryland correctional facility. Her criminal record includes convictions for first-degree child abuse resulting in death, stemming from the deaths of her niece and nephew in 2021.​

Background

Little is publicly known about Johnson's early life, family background, or educational history. Prior to the events leading to her incarceration, there is no documented employment history or known associations. Her sister, Dachelle Johnson, entrusted her with the care of her two children, Joshlyn and Larry, in 2019 when Dachelle moved from Dayton, Ohio, to Maryland. This arrangement was intended to be temporary, allowing Dachelle to establish herself before reunifying with her children.​

Criminal Activity

The tragic sequence began in May 2020 at the Regal Inn on Pulaski Highway, where Johnson and the children were staying. According to Johnson's statements, she became enraged with Joshlyn for misbehavior and allegedly stealing her belongings. In her anger, Johnson struck Joshlyn multiple times, causing the child to fall and hit her head on the floor. Instead of seeking medical assistance, Johnson placed Joshlyn's body in a suitcase and stored it in her car's trunk, where it remained for over a year.​

Approximately two months before the children's bodies were discovered, Johnson claimed that Larry fell asleep in the back of the car and never woke up. At the time, he had a visible leg injury, though Johnson did not provide details about its cause. She placed Larry's body in a plastic tote alongside his sister's decomposing remains in the trunk. Throughout this period, Johnson continued to use the vehicle, with the children's bodies concealed in the trunk.​

Legal Proceedings

On July 28, 2021, at approximately 11 p.m., Johnson was stopped by Baltimore County police in Essex, Maryland, for speeding. The vehicle was found to be unregistered, uninsured, and displaying a fake temporary West Virginia tag. Johnson was also driving without a license. When informed that her car would be towed, Johnson made unsettling remarks, stating, "It don't matter, I won't be here in five days," and, "Y'all going to see me on the news making my big debut." As she removed belongings from the car, officers detected a strong odor of decomposition. Upon inspecting a suitcase and plastic tote from the trunk, they discovered the decomposing bodies of Joshlyn and Larry.​

Johnson attempted to flee but was apprehended. She was charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree child abuse resulting in death. On August 13, 2024, Johnson pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree child abuse involving the death of a victim under 13. On February 10, 2025, she was sentenced to life in prison, with all but 50 years suspended, effectively imposing a 50-year sentence.​

Impact on Victims and Society

Joshlyn and Larry suffered prolonged abuse and neglect, leading to their untimely deaths. Autopsies revealed severe malnourishment; Joshlyn weighed only 18 pounds, and Larry 21 pounds at the time of their deaths. The discovery of their bodies elicited widespread public outrage and grief, particularly in their hometown of Dayton, Ohio, where they were remembered as "beautiful kids, and very lovable." The case highlighted systemic failures in monitoring the welfare of children in informal custody arrangements, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It underscored the need for improved communication and oversight by child protective services to prevent similar tragedies.​

Current Status

As of March 2025, Nicole Michelle Johnson is incarcerated in a Maryland state prison, serving her 50-year sentence. There is no public record of her participation in rehabilitation programs or expressions of remorse. Given the severity of her crimes and the length of her sentence, her release would not occur until she is in her eighties, minimizing any future risk to society.​

Conclusion

The case of Nicole Michelle Johnson serves as a tragic reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children in informal caregiving situations. It emphasizes the critical importance of vigilance, timely intervention, and robust support systems to protect at-risk children. Strengthening oversight mechanisms and ensuring that caregivers are adequately vetted and supported are essential steps in preventing such heartbreaking outcomes in the future.​

Additional Note

Given the nature of Johnson's crimes and her current incarceration, any autographed items from her would be rare. However, due to the heinousness of her actions, such items would likely be considered morbid memorabilia and may not hold significant value or desirability.

VIDEO: New insight into murder of two children in Baltimore County | https://youtu.be/8Mw-NmLylqc

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