Authorities report a Missouri woman will spend the rest of her life behind bars after she admitted in court that she kidnapped and killed a pregnant Arkansas woman. Prosecutors say she intended on claiming her unborn child as her own.
Amber Waterman, age 44 of Pineville, Missouri plead guilty Tuesday in Springfield to one count of kidnapping resulting in death and one count of causing the death of an unborn child.
Waterman’s mandatory sentence will be life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Formal sentencing is Oct. 15th 2024.
Waterman admitted that she used a false name to contact Ashley Bush of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, on Facebook.
Bush, age 33, was 31 weeks pregnant at the time. Waterman and Bush agreed to meet at an Arkansas convenience store in 2022, under the false pretense of Waterman helping Bush get a job.
Investigators say Waterman drove Bush to Waterman’s home in Pineville. Hours later, emergency medical personnel were called to the home after a report of a baby not breathing.
The baby was pronounced dead at the scene. Waterman claimed she had given birth but later admitted the baby was Bush’s.
Bush’s body was later found in a separate location.
Arkansas law enforcement investigators said she died from a gunshot wound.
Waterman’s husband, identified as Jamie Waterman, was also charged with being an accessory for helping dispose of Bush’s body.
His trial is scheduled for later in October.