Amber Waterman, a 44-year-old woman from Pineville, Missouri, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after pleading guilty to the kidnapping and murder of Ashley Bush, a pregnant woman from Arkansas. The tragic case, marked by deceit and violence, ended in the deaths of both Bush and her unborn child.
The incident began when Waterman used a false name to contact Bush, 33, on Facebook. Bush, who was approximately 31 weeks pregnant, was lured into meeting Waterman at an Arkansas convenience store on October 31, 2022. Waterman falsely claimed she was offering Bush a job opportunity, a ruse that tragically led Bush into a deadly trap.
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Missouri Woman Admits Kidnapping and Killing Pregnant Arkansas Woman https://t.co/GRXMH8DbI6— tommaso grieco (@tjg92037) August 1, 2024
Instead of helping Bush secure employment, Waterman drove her to her home in Pineville, Missouri. It was there that the situation took a horrific turn. Later that day, emergency responders were called to the Waterman residence due to a report of a baby not breathing. Upon arrival, they pronounced the baby dead. Initially, Waterman claimed she had just given birth, but it was later revealed that the baby belonged to Bush.
The discovery of Bush’s body at a separate location only added to the tragedy. Authorities in Arkansas reported that Bush had died from a gunshot wound, though details regarding the circumstances of her death and the cause of the baby’s death were not disclosed.
Federal prosecutors charged Waterman with one count each of kidnapping resulting in death and causing the death of a child in utero. U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore announced that Waterman’s plea would result in a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. The formal sentencing is scheduled for October 15.
News / Drama Missouri Woman Pleads Guilty To Kidnapping And Murder Of Pregnant Victim & Her Unborn Child: A Missouri woman has admitted to kidnapping and murdering a pregnant Arkansas woman she lured with a fake job opportunity. RELATED:… https://t.co/V4EJj7LPik @LFEntRadio pic.twitter.com/BgKNY6VcCU
— LF Ent. Radio 🌐 (@LFEntRadio) August 1, 2024
In a related development, Waterman’s husband, Jamie Waterman, faces charges as an accessory after the fact. He is accused of assisting in the disposal of Bush’s body, with his trial set for October.
Key Points:
i. Amber Waterman pleaded guilty to kidnapping and killing Ashley Bush, a 33-year-old pregnant woman from Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
ii. Waterman used a false name to lure Bush into a meeting under the pretense of offering a job, ultimately leading to Bush’s death.
iii. The crime took place on October 31, 2022, when Waterman took Bush to her home in Pineville, Missouri, where the murder occurred.
iv. Bush’s body was later discovered, and it was revealed she had died from a gunshot wound. The cause of death for the unborn child was not disclosed.
v. Jamie Waterman, Amber Waterman’s husband, faces charges for allegedly helping to dispose of Bush’s body, with his trial set for October.
Kirk Volo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News