Woman who kidnapped niece gets 4 years

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) - A woman who admitted to kidnapping her niece over a year ago, triggering an Amber Alert in Massachusetts and Rhode Island is heading to prison.

Kimberly Johnson was sentenced Thursday to serve four years behind bars.

Johnson, of Altoona, Pa., pleaded guilty to kidnapping her 13-month old niece , then leaving her at an industrial park in Connecticut.

• Kidnapping suspect wanted by police

She also pleaded guilty to charges of reckless endangerment of a child and assault and battery.

Authorities say Kimberly Johnson, who also goes by Alyssa Dawn Johnson, took Jaylin Boudria, her half-sister's child, from a gas station in Swansea back in February 2010 . At the time, the infant's mother was inside the convenience story buying a drink.

Jaylin was found unharmed a few hours later in Middletown, Conn. Swansea police said Johnson claimed to have stolen the child in hopes of reuniting with an ex-boyfriend and starting a family.

Family members responded to Thursday's sentencing outside court.

"She was okay but, I still couldn't do anything about it and I'm just glad that she got what she deserved today," said one family member.

"Do you think the sentence is long enough,?" asked reporter Walt Buteau.

"I'd prefer to see her rot in prison - excuse me but - I would really rather see her rot in prison than what she got but justice is justice."