Missouri – In a disturbing courtroom admission in Missouri, a 44-year-old woman, identified as A. Waterman, pleaded guilty this week to kidnapping and killing a 33-year-old pregnant woman from Arkansas, and her unborn child, in a gruesome attempt to steal the baby. The unsettling details were revealed in federal court as Waterman entered her plea. Waterman is now subject to a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison without parole.
The case traces back to October 2022, when Waterman enacted a malevolent plan to kidnap A. Bush, under the guise of offering her a job opportunity. According to federal prosecutors, Waterman adopted the alias “Lucy” and reached out to Bush on social media, pretending to help her secure employment while Bush was 31 weeks pregnant. Their interaction led to an in-person meeting on October 28, 2022, at a public library, where Waterman proposed a work-from-home position. The tragedy escalated on October 31 when Bush met Waterman at a convenience store, believing they were going to meet a supervisor to discuss her new job. Instead, Waterman kidnapped Bush, transporting her to a remote location.
Later that day, emergency responders were called to a store regarding a baby not breathing. Waterman falsely claimed to first responders that she had given birth to the child in her truck while en route to the hospital. In reality, the child was Bush’s, who died in utero as a direct result of Waterman’s actions that led to Bush’s death. The subsequent investigation revealed the grim details of the crime. Authorities discovered that Bush had been shot and subjected to “penetrating trauma of the torso.” Waterman then attempted to remove the unborn baby from the victim’s uterus in a desperate bid to claim the baby. She also tried to burn Bush’s body to cover up her heinous act.
U.S. Attorney T. Moore expressed deep sorrow over the tragic deaths, emphasizing the gravity of the crime and the justice that the plea would bring to the victims’ families. Waterman’s husband, J. Waterman, has been charged with one federal count of being an accessory after the fact of kidnapping resulting in death, with his trial set for October 21. Despite the federal sentence, the local authorities where the murder occurred are pushing for further justice. Prosecuting Attorney J. Robinson expressed his intention to pursue the death penalty in state court, reflecting the wishes of Bush’s family. This move comes amidst federal reluctance to pursue capital punishment, aligning with broader federal policy under the current administration.
The community and the victims’ families continue to grapple with the enormity of the crime as they await the final sentencing scheduled for October 15, 2024. This case has not only shocked the local community but also reignited discussions about the safety and vulnerabilities of pregnant women and the dire consequences of such criminal acts. As the legal processes unfold, both at the federal and state levels, the case serves as a somber reminder of the depths of deceit and the horrific capabilities of those driven by distorted motives. The assurance of a life sentence for Waterman offers a semblance of closure, but the reverberations of her actions will long be felt by those affected.