COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus woman was sentenced to 23 years and four months in federal prison on Monday for kidnapping two infants in December 2022.
Nalah T. Jackson, 26, was convicted on two counts of kidnapping a minor. Prosecutors detailed Jackson’s crime, which began when she took a black Honda Accord from a parking lot outside a Donatos Pizza on North High Street. Two five-month-old twins were strapped in car seats in the back of the vehicle while their mother was inside picking up a delivery order.
Jackson drove the stolen car from Columbus to Dayton, where she abandoned one infant in a car seat at Dayton International Airport. The baby was discovered by a passerby and security at around 4 a.m. on December 20. Jackson continued to Indianapolis with the second infant, leaving him alone in the car for two-and-a-half days.
The second infant was found after a woman recognized Jackson from social media posts about the kidnapping. She and a cousin tracked Jackson, who was later identified and arrested by Indianapolis police. The baby was discovered in the stolen vehicle, dehydrated and in poor condition, and was treated at a local hospital.
“Jackson’s actions were heinous, showing a blatant disregard for the lives of two helpless infants,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Today’s sentence reflects the serious harm she caused to these children and our community.”
Jackson was federally charged in January 2023.
