Arkansas ‘womb raider’ makes shock court decision after murdering pregnant woman she met on Facebook in bid to steal her baby

A woman accused of kidnapping and murdering a 31-week pregnant woman and her unborn baby has changed her plea to guilty.

Amber Waterman, 44, made the plea Tuesday after she went on trial Oct. 21 in Springfield, Missouri. She pleaded guilty to kidnapping resulting in death and causing the death of an unborn child, according to documents filed in federal court.

Waterman, along with her husband and alleged accomplice Jamie, initially denied the charges, but the trial was postponed several times.

The pair kidnapped 33-year-old Ashley Bush, who was found near Waterman’s home on November 3, 2022. The remains of the unborn child, named Valkyrie Grace Willis by the father and Bush’s fiancé, Joshua Willis, were found nearby.

Prosecutors said the two kidnapped Bush “for the purpose and benefit of claiming that he had committed a crime.” [the] child as their own.

She pleaded guilty to the October 2021 kidnapping of 33-year-old Ashley Bush, which resulted in her death and the death of her unborn child. Prosecutors said she was 31 weeks pregnant at the time

“This heinous crime resulted in the tragic deaths of two innocent victims,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore, adding Waterman still faces a severe sentence.

“Today’s confession holds this suspect accountable for her actions and ensures that justice will be done,” the lawyer said.

“She now faces a mandatory sentence of life in a federal prison without the possibility of parole.”

The development came nearly two years after Waterman, who met the victim on Facebook, first pleaded his innocence in federal court.

Benton County officials said at the time that Waterman lured Bush to her home with a false job posting while the pregnant victim was looking for a job that would allow her to work from home.

“Lucy” — the pseudonym Waterman used — met Bush on Oct. 28 of that year at an Arkansas library under the pretense of putting the victim in touch with someone who could help her find a job, prosecutors said.

They made plans to meet again at a supermarket on October 31, 2022. Bush thought she would go with “Lucy” to meet the alleged boss about 13 miles away — 25 miles from where the Watermans live in Missouri.

That day, Bush was dropped off at the store by her fiancé, Joshua. He later told police how he saw her leave with the woman he had seen meeting his fiancée days earlier.

Waterman, along with her husband and alleged accomplice Jamie (pictured), had initially denied the charges after being postponed several times.

Bush was dropped off at the store by her fiancé, Joshua. He later told police how he saw her leave with the woman he had seen meeting his fiancée days earlier. She, and her unborn child, were found dead two days later

Bush texted Willis around 3 p.m. saying she was on her way to the store, prosecutors and investigators agreed.

But when the truck Willis saw Bush get into drove north near the local highway, Willis immediately became suspicious.

He recognized the truck and saw that ‘Lucy’ was the one driving it, so he tried to contact his fiancée.

After repeatedly listening to her voicemail, he reported her missing at 6:30 p.m.

Two days later, Bush was found dead, apparently from a gunshot wound, her unborn child lying nearby in the womb.

Agents soon learned that Bush had been kidnapped by Waterman, and were taken to the woman’s home in Pineville, Missouri.

On November 2, 2021 at approximately 5:00 p.m., emergency responders responded to a downtown store for a call about a baby who was not breathing. After her arrest, Waterman told officers she had given birth to the baby in the vehicle on the way to the hospital.

“But in reality, she admitted, it was Bush’s child who died in the womb as a result of Waterman’s kidnapping, which led to Bush’s death,” a press release announcing her recent change of heart said.

Autopsy results showed that Bush died from penetrating trauma to her torso. Investigators ruled it a homicide.

Bush died from penetrating trauma to her torso — undoubtedly a homicide, investigators said

Amber’s sentencing is scheduled for October 15 at 11:00 a.m. No new hearings or change of plea documents have been filed for Jamie, his trial date is still scheduled for October 21.

“Under federal law, Waterman faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for each charge,” the release said.

‘The sentence for the suspect will be determined by the court based on the sentencing guidelines and other legal factors.’

Jamie, who police say helped Amber kidnap Bush while knowing she had committed a crime, is charged with aiding and abetting kidnapping resulting in death.

No new hearings or documents have been filed for a motion to amend for Jamie, while his trial date is still set for October 21.

Amber’s sentencing is scheduled for October 15 at 11:00 a.m., when a judge will decide her fate.