A Missouri woman accused of kidnapping and murdering a pregnant Arkansas woman now faces additional charges related to the death of the unborn child. 43-year-old Amber Waterman and her husband, Jamie Waterman, also 43, were named in a superseding indictment issued by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Missouri. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri announced the new charges on Tuesday.
Amber Waterman was initially indicted on a single count of kidnapping resulting in the death of 33-year-old Ashley Bush, who was 31 weeks pregnant at the time of her disappearance in October. Bush's body was discovered on November 3rd with gunshot wounds. Authorities believe Waterman orchestrated the kidnapping and murder to steal Bush's unborn baby. The indictment alleges Waterman transported Bush from Maysville, Arkansas, to Pineville, Missouri, where the crime occurred.
After allegedly murdering Bush, Waterman is accused of extracting the unborn child from her womb. According to an indictment obtained by KFSM-TV, Waterman used a fabricated job offer to lure Bush to Missouri. Bush was last seen on Halloween, in the passenger seat of an unknown vehicle. She had connected with the driver, using the alias "Lucy," online while searching for work-from-home opportunities. Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Nathan Smith believes "Lucy" was a fictitious persona created by Amber Waterman.
The indictment details how Waterman created a fake Facebook account under the name "Lucy Barrows" to advertise the non-existent job in a Facebook group for mothers. Bush responded to the advertisement and, accompanied by her fiancé, Josh Willis, met "Lucy" at the Gravette Public Library. "Lucy" then convinced Bush to travel with her to Bentonville, Arkansas, to meet the supposed employer, after which Bush vanished. Authorities later discovered Bush's remains and those of her unborn child at separate locations. McDonald County Coroner BJ Goodwin stated in November that the baby appeared to have been surgically removed from the mother.
Jamie Waterman, previously indicted as an accessory after the fact to kidnapping resulting in death, allegedly aided his wife in the kidnapping and attempted to cover up the crime. He reportedly confessed to burning Bush's body in a fire pit and trying to conceal the remains. If convicted, Amber Waterman faces a potential life sentence, while her husband faces a maximum of 15 years. Both have pleaded not guilty.
