SPRINGFIELD, MO - On Tuesday, October 15th, the U.S Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri issued a press release announcing the sentencing of a Pineville woman for the kidnapping and murder of a pregnant Arkansas woman and the victim's unborn child.
According to CBS News, the woman, identified as 44-year-old Amber Waterman, has been sentenced to two life terms in prison and is not eligible for parole under the conditions set forth by the judge. The two life sentences will be served consecutively. She was also ordered to pay $105,000 in restitution. In July, Waterman pleaded guilty to kidnapping resulting in death and causing the death of a child in utero.
In her plea, Waterman admitted that she used a false name to contact 33-year-old Ashley Bush of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, on Facebook. At that time, Bush was about 31 weeks pregnant. Waterman said that she could help the pregnant woman find employment, which prompted an in-person meeting between the two on October 28, 2022 at the Gravette, Arkansas, public library. After that, they agreed to meet again on October 31, 2022.
On October 31, 2022, at 11:45 a.m., Bush met Waterman at the Handi-Stop convenience store in Maysville, Arkansas. Prosecutors said that Bush thought Waterman was taking her to meet a supervisor to further discuss a job opportunity, so she got into a truck that Waterman was driving. Waterman kidnapped and abducted Bush, driving her from Maysville to the Waterman residence in Pineville.
Hours later, first responders rushed to a store in Pineville after getting a report that a baby was not breathing. The baby was pronounced dead on scene. Waterman first claimed that she had given birth to the baby in a truck while on the way to the hospital. However, when she plead guilty to her charges, she admitted that the baby was Bush's. The baby was identified as Valkyrie Willis.
An autopsy indicated that Bush, who is a mother to three other children, died as a result of penetrating trauma of the torso. Baby Valkyrie died in utero. Bush's death has been classified as a homicide. Waterman's husband, 44-year-old Jamie Waterman, also plead guilty on Tuesday, October 22nd, to one count of being an accessory after the fact to the kidnapping resulting in death.
Charging documents state that he helped wrap Bush's body in a tarp, burn it, and then move the remains to another location. He could face up to 15 years in federal prison without parole. At Amber Waterman's sentencing, the judge said he couldn't impose a sentence that would be sufficient in this case, saying that Waterman's crime was a "new level of graphic."
Prosecutors also spoke during the sentencing and said that the pain caused by Waterman would span generations. Family members of Bush spoke during the sentencing hearing, including one relative who said she prayed that "suffering comes back tenfold" to Amber Waterman, and another who said she is the "face of Satan" and "has a black soul."
According to reports, Waterman has also been ordered for a second time to appear in court in Bentonville, Arkansas, as she is being charged in Benton County with two counts of capital murder and kidnapping after court documents allege that she kidnapped Bush to take her unborn child. On Monday, October 21st, Benton County Judge Robin Green ordered Waterman to appear in court on October 28th.
Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Robinson previously said that the state is seeking the death penalty against Waterman. After Waterman was sentenced in her federal case, Robinson said in a statement, "It was my understanding that Life was the only possible sentence. That being the case, the sentence was expected. I am glad that the defendant has received some level of accountability and that the family of the victims is one step closer to finality in the criminal justice system.
Waterman's husband is not facing any charges in Benton County.
According to CBS News, the woman, identified as 44-year-old Amber Waterman, has been sentenced to two life terms in prison and is not eligible for parole under the conditions set forth by the judge. The two life sentences will be served consecutively. She was also ordered to pay $105,000 in restitution. In July, Waterman pleaded guilty to kidnapping resulting in death and causing the death of a child in utero.
In her plea, Waterman admitted that she used a false name to contact 33-year-old Ashley Bush of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, on Facebook. At that time, Bush was about 31 weeks pregnant. Waterman said that she could help the pregnant woman find employment, which prompted an in-person meeting between the two on October 28, 2022 at the Gravette, Arkansas, public library. After that, they agreed to meet again on October 31, 2022.
On October 31, 2022, at 11:45 a.m., Bush met Waterman at the Handi-Stop convenience store in Maysville, Arkansas. Prosecutors said that Bush thought Waterman was taking her to meet a supervisor to further discuss a job opportunity, so she got into a truck that Waterman was driving. Waterman kidnapped and abducted Bush, driving her from Maysville to the Waterman residence in Pineville.
Hours later, first responders rushed to a store in Pineville after getting a report that a baby was not breathing. The baby was pronounced dead on scene. Waterman first claimed that she had given birth to the baby in a truck while on the way to the hospital. However, when she plead guilty to her charges, she admitted that the baby was Bush's. The baby was identified as Valkyrie Willis.
An autopsy indicated that Bush, who is a mother to three other children, died as a result of penetrating trauma of the torso. Baby Valkyrie died in utero. Bush's death has been classified as a homicide. Waterman's husband, 44-year-old Jamie Waterman, also plead guilty on Tuesday, October 22nd, to one count of being an accessory after the fact to the kidnapping resulting in death.
Charging documents state that he helped wrap Bush's body in a tarp, burn it, and then move the remains to another location. He could face up to 15 years in federal prison without parole. At Amber Waterman's sentencing, the judge said he couldn't impose a sentence that would be sufficient in this case, saying that Waterman's crime was a "new level of graphic."
Prosecutors also spoke during the sentencing and said that the pain caused by Waterman would span generations. Family members of Bush spoke during the sentencing hearing, including one relative who said she prayed that "suffering comes back tenfold" to Amber Waterman, and another who said she is the "face of Satan" and "has a black soul."
According to reports, Waterman has also been ordered for a second time to appear in court in Bentonville, Arkansas, as she is being charged in Benton County with two counts of capital murder and kidnapping after court documents allege that she kidnapped Bush to take her unborn child. On Monday, October 21st, Benton County Judge Robin Green ordered Waterman to appear in court on October 28th.
Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Robinson previously said that the state is seeking the death penalty against Waterman. After Waterman was sentenced in her federal case, Robinson said in a statement, "It was my understanding that Life was the only possible sentence. That being the case, the sentence was expected. I am glad that the defendant has received some level of accountability and that the family of the victims is one step closer to finality in the criminal justice system.
Waterman's husband is not facing any charges in Benton County.
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Comments
2024-10-23T21:07-0400 | Comment by: Harry
She deserved nothing less than the death penalty ! Her husband is the one who should get life !
2024-10-24T12:44-0400 | Comment by: Cindy
Isn't it great that she has also been charged for the death of the unborn baby? If only that could be the case in abortions. The husband shouold have received a stiffer sentence than just 15 years.
2024-10-24T12:44-0400 | Comment by: Cindy
Isn't it great that she has also been charged for the death of the unborn baby? If only that could be the case in abortions. The husband shouold have received a stiffer sentence than just 15 years.