Missouri woman pleads guilty to death of pregnant woman and her unborn baby, documents show

BENTONVILLE – A Missouri woman accused of killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child is expected to plead guilty to the charges in federal court.

Amber Waterman, who is being held at a detention center in Bates County, Missouri, is charged in federal court with kidnapping resulting in death and death of a child in utero in connection with the deaths of Ashley Bush and her unborn baby. Waterman, 44, had previously pleaded not guilty.

According to federal court documents, she is expected to change her plea on July 30 in federal court in Springfield, Missouri.

Her husband Jamie Waterman is accused of aiding and abetting a kidnapping resulting in death.

The original federal indictment alleges that Amber Waterman kidnapped Bush between October 31 and November 2, 2022, in order to claim his unborn child as her own.

Bush, who was 31 weeks pregnant, was last seen in the passenger seat of an older, tan pickup truck in Maysville on Oct. 31, 2022, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. A person who called himself “Lucy” picked Bush up in Maysville that day, court documents show.

Authorities suspect that Waterman is “Lucy.”

Bush’s body was found three days later in Missouri. The body of her baby – Valkyrie Grace – was found in another location in Missouri, according to court documents.

Waterman is charged in Benton County with two counts of felony murder and kidnapping in connection with the deaths of Ashley Bush and her unborn baby. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Benton County District Judge Robin Green signed an order on June 18 requesting that Waterman be extradited to Benton County, where he is scheduled to appear in court on July 15.

Federal prosecutors have denied Benton County prosecutors access to Waterman.

This is the second time prosecutors have made this request, and Green has ordered Waterman transferred to Benton County, with the first order being issued in November 2022.

Jamie Waterman will not face charges in Benton County.