BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — Amber Waterman, the Missouri woman who kidnapped and murdered a pregnant Arkansas woman, has been booked into the Benton County Jail for the first time since her 2022 arrest.
Her booking information includes the one count of kidnapping and two counts of capital murder that she faces in her Arkansas case.
Waterman pleaded guilty to federal charges of kidnapping resulting in death and causing the death of an unborn child on July 30, 2024, and was sentenced to life in prison months later.
Benton County Prosecutor Josh Robinson told 5NEWS that the state is seeking the death penalty in the case, but that the case is on hold due to possible double jeopardy concerns.
Waterman is set to appear in Benton County court for the first time on Oct. 28.
The Crime
Ashley Bush, a pregnant mother of three living in Maysville, Arkansas, was reported missing on Oct. 31, 2022. It wasn't until Nov. 3 that the Watermans were arrested after being interviewed by detectives.
According to an indictment, Amber created a fake Facebook account under the name Lucy Barrows. As "Lucy," Amber told Bush that she could help her get a job and that she could drive her to an interview.
Once Bush was dropped off at a gas station in Maysville by family, Amber allegedly kidnapped Bush and drove her to her home in Pineville, Missouri.
On the same day, Amber called 911 and said she went into labor, and ultimately "delivered" a stillborn baby. The county medical examiner later told 5NEWS that it looked like the baby was "cut out" of the mother. Amber allegedly refused medical treatment after EMS arrived at the scene.
On Nov. 3, 2023, the Watermans were arrested. Investigators said Jamie wasn't aware of the crimes his wife had committed until Nov. 1 when Amber told him she had killed Bush, but then quickly changed her story and said “Lucy” had killed her.
After telling Jamie that Bush was killed, Amber led him to her body, which was wrapped in a blue tarp near their home. According to investigators, they burned the body in a fire pit on their property and then drove the body a short distance to hide it.
An autopsy showed that Bush died as a result of trauma to her torso, classifying the death as a homicide.
The Watermans were arrested on Nov. 3 and faced charges related to the deaths of Ashley Bush and her unborn baby girl.
For a full timeline of the case, from Bush's disappearance to Amber Waterman's guilty plea, click here.
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