Girlfriend ‘poisoned’ her boyfriend’s 18-month-old daughter after ‘feeding the child batteries, water beads and a screw’: Heartbroken mom posts heartbreaking tribute to her ‘ray of sunshine’
An 18-month-old child was poisoned after swallowing batteries, screws and water beads. Now, months later, the baby’s father’s girlfriend was arrested on murder charges.
Aleisia Lynnae Owens, 20, was charged with three counts of murder, five counts of aggravated assault and one count of endangering the welfare of children in connection with the death of Iris Rita Alfera in Pennsylvania.
Iris was taken to the hospital on June 25 and was kept in the PICU until she passed away on June 29.
During an investigation, police discovered that Owens had conducted extensive online research into substances harmful to children and it was later revealed that the toddler died of acetone poisoning. Acetone is in nail and polish remover.
βTell the world that monsters exist,β said Crystal Joseph, a relative of Iris, on behalf of the baby’s grieving family.
Iris Rita Alfera died on June 29 after taking acetone that entered her bloodstream, leading to organ failure
Aleidia Lynnae Owens, 20, was arrested Thursday for poisoning baby Iris in June. Owens is the girlfriend of Bailey Jacoby, the child’s father
Iris is pictured with her mother Emily Alfera, who has continued to pay heartbreaking tributes to her ‘sweet ray of sunshine and smile’ since her death
The baby’s autopsy revealed that she had traces of acetone in her blood at the time of her death, which authorities said led to organ failure.
New Castle police also revealed that that month before Iris’ tragic death, she had ingested numerous “water beads” that were later found and had expanded into her digestive system. Water beads are made of silicone and are round decorations that are kept in a jar.
The baby also swallowed button-shaped batteries and metal screws that were visible in her diapers, authorities said.
The items were all taken between March 30 and April 1 WPIXmonths before she died.
Police discovered that Owens had searched Google several times between February and June asking about children drinking acetone, toxic beauty products, water beads near me, what happens when a baby swallows a batter button and medications that shouldn’t be given to babies. datum.
Owens was arrested Thursday and filmed walking with police while handcuffed.
The New castle news As District Judge Richard A. Russo Owens read her charges, she sat “dry-eyed and expressionless.”
Owens was taken to the Lawrence County Jail and is being held without bond.
‘We’re glad they finally arrested her. That’s the first step. It will be a long process in the legal system,β the baby’s grandfather, Frank Alfera, told the New Castle News.
Iris is being held by her father, who authorities say has not been arrested in connection with the crime because “there is no evidence at all at this time linking him or anyone else to the baby’s death.”
Iris lived with her mother and grandparents, while her father Bailey Jacoby has visitation rights
The baby also swallowed button-shaped batteries and medal screws that were visible in her diapers. Police discovered that Owens conducted extensive online research into substances harmful to children
The baby’s mother, Emily Alfera, has continued to pay heartbreaking tributes to her “sweet ray of sunshine and smile” since her death.
Iris lived with her mother and grandparents, while her father, Bailey Jacoby, has visitation rights. Bailey Jacobs has not been charged and it is unclear whether he was aware of the alleged searches of his girlfriend.
Alfera and Jacoby were together for about two years before breaking up. The father then lived with Owens for about a year before Iris was murdered.
“I have no words for what has happened to my beautiful angel baby right now, never in my life did I think I would say goodbye to the greatest light in my life,” Emily posted on her Facebook the day after Iris died.
A separate Facebook page called Iris’ angels was also created in honor of the baby and serves as a non-profit organization.
Purple posters, sweatshirts and bags have been made and pasted in Iris’ hometown as her mother has raised awareness about child abuse.
A GoFundMe page was created when Iris was first taken to the hospital and has raised more than $17,000.
A group of friends and family who supported Iris’ mother after her child tragically died are circled around a pair of baby shoes in her honor.
Owens was charged with three counts of murder, five counts of aggravated assault and one count of endangering the welfare of children. She was taken to the Lawrence County Jail and is being held without bond
Iris is pictured with her mother Emily, who has set up endless fundraisers for her child in the city and advocated for child abuse
Asia Madison Kerr, a friend of the mother, also posted a group tribute from family and friends as they honored the baby wearing white Nike sneakers with painted purple checkmarks and the caption “Iris’s army.”
A small pair of baby sneakers with the same purple check mark was surrounded by a group of supporters, including Iris’ mother.
Iris’ father has not posted anything about his girlfriend’s arrest or his daughter’s death.
Police said he was not arrested in connection with the heinous crime because “there is no evidence at all at this time linking him or anyone else to the baby’s death,” Chief Bobby Salem said.
‘There was nothing throughout the investigation to indicate he had any knowledge or involvement in what happened to the baby. He was questioned several times and cooperated.β
Attorney General Michelle Henry, who handled the case, said: “It is difficult to imagine anyone deliberately taking steps to harm a completely helpless child and then misleading investigators about what happened.”
βMy office will never stop holding accountable individuals who knowingly endanger the lives of others, especially vulnerable children.β