N.J. woman sentenced to life for killing toddler son, dismembering and burning his remains

BRIDGETON, N.J. (TCD) -- A judge recently sentenced a 28-year-old mother to life behind bars after she was convicted of killing her toddler son and dismembering his body in 2019.

On Feb. 8, 2019, at approximately 6:36 p.m., Nakira Griner told Bridgeton Police her 23-month-old son, Daniel Drbiner Jr., had been abducted, so multiple law enforcement agencies launched a search for the toddler.

The next day, Feb. 9, 2019, police said the child’s remains were found in a yard on Woodland Drive. The child’s body had been dismembered and burned, KYW-TV reports.

Upon further investigation, Griner was reportedly arrested and charged in her son’s death.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by KYW, Griner told investigators she hit her child because he wouldn’t "eat nor listen to her."

She also reportedly said the child fell down the stairs, but she didn’t seek help.

When confronted about the abduction report, Griner reportedly told investigators a stranger went after her while she was pushing her toddler in a stroller and had her infant on her chest. She allegedly said the stranger continuously kicked her on the ground, and her toddler son was abducted. Investigators reportedly found the stroller nearby, but the son was gone.

However, according to KYW, Griner’s statements were inconsistent and would change during interviews.

After the son’s remains were found, the Cumberland County Prosecutor said an autopsy report revealed he died of blunt force trauma.

On Jan. 4, after a two-week jury trial, Griner was reportedly found guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree desecration of human remains, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, fourth-degree tampering with evidence, and second-degree false public alarm.

On Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Prosecutor’s Office announced Griner was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. She was also sentenced to an additional consecutive seven years for the desecration of human remains conviction.

MORE:

• State v. Nakira Griner — Sentencing — Cumberland County Prosecutor 
• State v. Nakira Griner — Verdict after Jury Trial, 1/4/2023 —Cumberland County Prosecutor
• Bridgeton Woman Charged in Child’s Death, 2/9/2019 - Bridgeton Police Department
• Mother Dismembered, Burned 23-Month-Old Son’s Body Because He Wouldn’t Eat, Listen, Police Say, 2/11/2019 - KYW