SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Amber Waterman pleaded guilty in federal court to kidnapping and killing Ashley Bush, a 31-week pregnant Arkansas woman, and her unborn baby back in 2022.
Waterman changed her plea from not guilty during a hearing in Springfield on July 30, 2024. She was set to go on trial alongside her husband Jamie Waterman, who at this time is still expected to stand trial in October for allegedly assisting Amber in the crimes.
Amber Waterman pleaded guilty to kidnapping resulting in death and causing the death of an unborn child.
"This horrific crime resulted in the tragic deaths of two innocent victims," U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. "Today’s guilty plea holds this defendant accountable for her actions and ensures that justice will be served. She is now subject to a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison without parole."
Her sentencing date is set for Oct. 15. However, Moore said Amber's charges and plea will only result in one kind of sentence — life without parole.
5NEWS will update this article with more information about Amber Waterman's sentencing as we learn more.
The Crime
Ashley Bush, a pregnant mother of three living in Maysville, Ark., 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 the 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 the interview on Oct. 31. 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, the Watermans were arrested. Investigators said Jamie Waterman 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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