(WNY News Now) – Buffalo – A Buffalo mother has admitted to illegally taking her children from their legal guardian, defying a court order and sparking a search that ended safely the next day.
Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 41-year-old Jennie M. Johnson of Buffalo pleaded guilty yesterday morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Carrie Phillips to one count of Custodial Interference in the Second Degree and one count of Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors).
On the evening of Thursday, April 18, 2024, two children were reported missing by their legal guardian from a location in the City of Buffalo. The defendant enticed the children away from their lawful custodian while knowingly in violation of an existing order of protection, which was issued by Family Court. The defendant unlawfully restrained the children by luring them into a vehicle with her near Hertel Avenue in the City of Buffalo then fled the area. The defendant and another family member drove the children to her home, without permission from their Erie County Family Court ordered legal guardian. The children were later found safely on Friday, April 19, 2024.
Johnson faces a maximum sentence of two years in jail when she is sentenced on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. She remains released on her own recognizance. Temporary orders of protection issued for both children and their legal guardian remain in effect.
Acting DA Keane commends Detective Jim McMahon, Detective Michael Laun, and members of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Daniel J. Mattle of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau.
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