A Lawrence County woman has been arrested and faces charges in connection with the death of her boyfriend’s one-year-old daughter.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry says 20-year-old Aleisia Owens is charged with criminal homicide after the she died last June.
An autopsy showed the child has fatal levels of acetone in her blood, which cased organ failure, and investigators learned the child ate numerous “water beads” along with button-shaped batteries and a metal screw.
Investigators learned that Owens was researching how water beads and batteries can cause harm to a child between February and June.
Emergency responders were called to the New Castle home on June 25 when they found Iris Alfera unresponsive. She was airlifted to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh but ultimately died on June 25.
Iris was hospitalized months prior after she ingested multiple water bead, a screw and batteries.
“The details of this case are heartbreaking. It is hard to fathom someone taking deliberate steps to harm a completely helpless child, then mislead investigators about what happened,” said Attorney General Henry.
“The investigation shows that, for months, the defendant conducted meticulous research on how certain substances harm children. She then allegedly acted on her findings. My office will never stop working to hold individuals accountable who knowingly put the lives of others, especially vulnerable children, at risk.”
“The death of Iris Alfera has brought pain, sadness, and anger to our community. The New Castle City Police Department has worked tirelessly on this case with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General to bring the person responsible to justice,” New Castle Police Department Chief Robert Salem said. “I am extremely proud of the officers, detectives, and agents who were involved in investigating this complex case and arresting the person who was responsible for the child’s death.”
Owens faces charges of criminal homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault of a child, endangering the welfare of a child and more.