Missouri woman, Amber Waterman, 44, will spend the rest of her life in prison after admitting in court that she kidnapped and killed a pregnant Arkansas woman in a bid to claim her baby. The harrowing case has shocked the community and garnered widespread attention, told NBC News.
Waterman, from Pineville, Missouri, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in US District Court in Springfield to charges of kidnapping resulting in death and causing the death of a child in utero. US Attorney Teresa Moore confirmed that Waterman’s mandatory sentence will be life in prison without parole, with formal sentencing set for October 15.
In a chilling confession, Waterman admitted to using a false name to contact 33-year-old Ashley Bush of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, on Facebook. Bush, who was about 31 weeks pregnant, believed she was meeting Waterman on October 31, 2022, at an Arkansas convenience store for a job opportunity. Instead, Waterman lured Bush to her home in Pineville.
Later that day, first responders were called to Waterman’s home on a report that a baby was not breathing. Despite attempts to save the infant, the baby was pronounced dead. Initially, Waterman claimed she had given birth, but in her plea, she confessed that the baby was actually Bush’s. Tragically, Bush was also the mother of three other children.
Authorities found Bush’s body at a different location, with Arkansas officials stating she had died from a gunshot wound. However, details surrounding the baby’s death remain undisclosed by police and prosecutors.
Jamie Waterman, Amber Waterman’s husband, has been charged with being an accessory after the fact for allegedly helping to dispose of Bush’s body. His trial is scheduled for October.
US Attorney Teresa Moore emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “Amber Waterman’s actions were not only heinous but showed a complete disregard for the value of human life, particularly the life of an innocent child yet to be born.”
The community of Siloam Springs and surrounding areas has been deeply affected by the tragedy. Friends and family of Ashley Bush have expressed their grief and outrage, remembering her as a devoted mother whose life was cut short in a senseless act of violence.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in seemingly benign online interactions. The authorities urge the public to exercise caution when meeting strangers and to report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement.
Amber Waterman’s sentencing will bring some closure, but the scars left by this horrific crime will linger for years to come. The court’s decision underscores the severe consequences of such brutal actions, ensuring that Waterman will never again have the chance to harm another innocent life.