A Utah family’s pursuit of justice was delayed Monday after a court mix-up prevented the sentencing of the woman accused of murdering Nakeena Youngman. The family had prepared for closure but now faces an additional wait.
OGDEN , Utah — A family experienced further heartache on Monday when the sentencing of the woman accused of murdering their loved one was unexpectedly postponed due to a logistical error in the court system.
The delay has prolonged their grief and the pursuit of justice for Nakeena Youngman, a woman described by those who knew her as a pillar of strength and love. Shiloh Alires, Youngman’s son-in-law, poignantly shared his feelings, stating, 'Anything that a son-in-law could ask for, really, she was a protector, she was always there for me whenever I needed her.
’ He continued, emphasizing the profound impact of her loss, 'She was the mom I never had and I wished for. ’ Youngman’s presence extended far beyond her immediate family; she was a cherished mother, aunt, grandma, cousin, and friend, leaving a void in the lives of many. The tragic event unfolded in April 2025 when Youngman was discovered with a gunshot wound on 800 North in Ogden, ultimately succumbing to her injuries at the hospital.
Since then, her family has been navigating the difficult path of grief and seeking closure. Alires expressed the family’s hope that the sentencing would provide some measure of relief, particularly for the younger members of the family, saying, 'We're hoping today we could get it so it could ease up the little ones a little bit more. ’ The postponement, however, has only intensified their pain and prolonged their wait for justice.
Ana Maria Zaragoza, 38, was slated to receive her sentence for Youngman's murder on Monday, but the proceedings were halted when it became clear she was not present. Judge Craig Hall formally acknowledged the issue, stating, 'We apologize for not being able to proceed. We just can't proceed without the defendant being here. ’ The unexpected turn of events left loved ones devastated and questioning the system.
Stephanie Wilkinson, a longtime friend of the family, recounted her history with Youngman, recalling, 'I used to babysit Nakeena, anytime mom went somewhere, I was the older kid. ’ She fondly remembered the shared laughter and experiences, describing Youngman as 'a beautiful, beautiful person. ’ Wilkinson expressed her frustration and disappointment with the situation, stating, 'The family has had to emotionally and mentally prepare for this.
We have been preparing for this for 13 months, but really for two months, just waiting for the sentencing to be today. ’ She highlighted the sacrifices made by the family, including taking time off work and rearranging schedules, only to be met with further delay.
Wilkinson powerfully articulated the family’s anguish, saying, 'To listen to the children cry knowing this day was supposed to sort of be the end and it is not because they failed to get her to the courthouse is absolutely unacceptable. ’ The reason for Zaragoza’s absence stemmed from a breakdown in communication between the court and the sheriff’s offices responsible for her transport. Zaragoza is currently detained at the Davis County Jail.
FOX 13 News investigated the matter, learning from a Davis County Sheriff's Office official that the responsibility for transporting Zaragoza to the Ogden courthouse rested with the Weber County Sheriff's Office, given the courthouse’s location within their jurisdiction. However, the official revealed a critical oversight: neither sheriff’s office received the necessary paperwork from the court notifying them of the scheduled hearing.
Consequently, they were unaware of the need to transport Zaragoza. This administrative failure led to the postponement of the sentencing. The sentencing has now been rescheduled for Friday, May 15, at 1:30 p.m. Alires expressed his frustration and disappointment, stating, 'We're processing throughout the weeks, that we'd have justice and stuff, and today, now, they can’t bring her here. ’ He described the situation as 'quite bugged, honestly, quite frustrated, quite bugged.
’ The family now faces an additional wait, extending their grief through Mother's Day and the following days, as they continue to seek justice for Nakeena Youngman. The incident underscores the importance of clear communication and coordination within the judicial system to ensure timely and just outcomes for victims and their families
Ogden Utah Murder Sentencing Delay Court Justice Family Nakeena Youngman Ana Maria Zaragoza
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