BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — The federal trial for Amber Waterman, the woman accused of kidnapping a Benton County pregnant woman and killing her and her unborn child, has been delayed, according to court documents.
Amber Waterman and her husband Jamie Waterman's federal trial is now set for October 21, 2024.
A federal jury indicted the couple for crimes that allegedly led to Ashley Bush and her unborn daughter's death in Pineville, Mo.
The indictment says that on Oct. 31, 2022, Amber kidnapped Ashley Bush after meeting her online under false pretenses.
Amber reportedly told Bush she would pick her up to bring her to a job interview, but instead kidnapped Bush and brought her to her home in Pineville, Mo.
Amber is accused of killing Bush and her unborn daughter in an attempt to claim the child as her own, even going so far as to allegedly "give birth" to the baby, according to court documents.
Amber Waterman is facing charges of causing the death of an unborn child and kidnapping resulting in death, and her husband Jamie is charged with accessory after the fact.
The indictment says Jamie assisted Amber after she kidnapped Bush, knowing she'd committed a crime. Both Amber and Jamie have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
The federal trial in Springfield had been originally scheduled for December 4, 2023, but was pushed back to June 3, 2024, and then finally, on May 3, the judge granted a final extension, with the jury trial now scheduled for October 2024.
Federal prosecutors are asking to seek the death penalty against Amber, according to Benton County Prosecuting Attorney, Josh Robinson.
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