Missouri
Woman accused of killing a pregnant mom, cutting out unborn baby is charged in fetus’s death
A Missouri woman accused of luring a pregnant mother with a fake job in a twisted plot to steal her unborn child has been charged with the death of the fetus — after she tried to cut the baby out of the mom-to-be’s womb.
Amber Waterman, 43, and her husband, Jamie Waterman, 43, were charged in a superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury Tuesday, authorities announced.
Amber was previously indicted in November in the fatal kidnapping of the mom, Ashley Bush, who was 31 weeks pregnant when she was found shot dead by authorities on Nov. 3.
After Amber allegedly killed Bush, she attempted to cut Bush’s unborn baby out of her abdomen, the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri said.
Prosecutors allege Amber lured the mom-to-be by creating a fake Facebook account under the name “Lucy Barrows” advertising a fictitious work-from-home job opportunity.
She posted in a Facebook group for mothers, authorities said.
On Oct. 28, Bush and her fiancé, Josh Willis, went to the Gravette public library to meet “Lucy” about a job.
Bush was then told she had to travel with “Lucy” to Bentonville, Arkansas, to meet the supposed boss — but she never returned.
Authorities have said Bush appeared to have been fatally shot. Her burned remains were found in a different location from the fetus’s remains.
McDonald County Coroner BJ Goodwin said last November that it looked like the fetus had been “cut out” of the mother, KFSM reported at the time.
Jamie Waterman was also previously indicted on one count of assisting his wife in the alleged kidnapping and preventing her apprehension.
He had admitted to authorities that his wife burned Bush’s body in a fire pit and she had confessed to the killing.
Amber faces life in prison if she is convicted. Her husband faces a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
Both have pleaded not guilty.