Mother admits to unlawful imprisonment of children from legal guardian
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo woman pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to taking her two biological children away from their legal guardian in April, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Jennie M. Johnson, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree unlawful imprisonment and one count of second-degree custodial interference.
On April 18, two children, a 10-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy, were reported missing by their legal guardian.
Video released by Buffalo Police showed the children last seen leaving the area around 6:30 p.m. on Benzinger Street. Johnson unlawfully restrained them by luring them into a vehicle with her near Hertel Avenue before fleeing the area while knowingly violating an existing order of protection, the DA’s Office said.
Johnson, along with another family member, drove the children to her house without permission from their legal guardian, according to officials. The children were located safely the next day.
Johnson faces a maximum of two years in jail when she is sentenced on Oct. 18.
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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.
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