Nalah Jackson: Ohio AMBER Alert suspect now facing federal charges
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The woman accused of stealing a car that had twin baby boys inside, prompting an AMBER Alert that gripped the region just before Christmas, is now facing federal charges.
Nalah Jackson, 24, was indicted Thursday on two counts of kidnapping of a minor. Each count is punishable by at least 20 years in prison.
“Jackson is currently in custody in Indiana and will be transported to the Southern District of Ohio to face her federal charges in U.S. District Court in Columbus," U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker said in a statement Thursday. "Those federal charges will supersede her current state charge of kidnapping. Protection of our youth is vital and ensuring the safe return of the children in this case was paramount. Now, as we move into the accountability phase of this incident, I can assure you that my office will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in Ohio and Indiana to fully investigate the matter.”
Just days before Christmas, police said, Jackson stole a car outside a pizza restaurant in Columbus' busy Short North neighborhood. Several hours later, one of the twin boys, Ky'air Thomas, was found bundled up in his baby seat in the parking lot at Dayton International Airport.
But it took another two days before police found her and Ky'air's twin brother, Kason Thomas, at separate locations in Indianapolis.
It's not clear when Jackson will be returned to Columbus.
Last week, Jackson pleaded guilty to spitting on an officer while she was being processed in Indianapolis shortly after she was arrested.
