Forced birth laws kill — this woman now faces life in prison for trying to abort.

Woman of Color Pleads Guilty to Murder of Pregnant White Woman, Highlighting Systemic Racism in the US

A Missouri woman of color, Amber Waterman (44), pleaded guilty on Tuesday to the heinous kidnapping and murder of a pregnant white woman, Ashley Bush, and her unborn child, in a shocking display of violence that has rocked the nation. This tragic case reveals the devastating impact of systemic racism and the desperate lengths some will go to in a society that values white, patriarchal ideals of motherhood above all else.

Waterman, a resident of the small town of Pineville, MO, faces life imprisonment for the kidnapping and killing of Bush, who was nearly 31 weeks pregnant at the time of her death. In a twisted attempt to claim the unborn child as her own, Waterman pretended to offer Bush employment, luring her into a trap with false promises. This horrific crime has left the community reeling and once again brings to light the deep-seated racial injustices that persist in our country.

"The tragic deaths of these two innocent victims demand justice," said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore in a statement, condemning the act. "Today's guilty plea holds this defendant accountable and ensures we will not rest until those responsible for such heinous acts are brought to justice."

The details of the case are as follows:

• Waterman lured Bush, a white pregnant woman, under the guise of offering employment assistance via Facebook, a tactic that exploits the economic disparities often faced by marginalized communities.
• They met on October 28, 2022, at the Gravette, AR, public library, a space meant to provide equal access to knowledge and opportunity, now tarnished by this cruel deception.
• On Halloween, Bush, unaware of the danger, met Waterman at an AR convenience store.
• Using the false pretense of further employment discussion, Waterman kidnapped Bush, driving her across state lines to her residence in MO, a chilling act of coercion and violation of trust.
• At 5 p.m. that day, first responders received an emergency call from a store in Pineville - Waterman claimed she had given birth en route to the hospital, but in a twisted reveal, it was discovered that the child was, in fact, Bush's, who had died in utero as aresult of the kidnapping.
• An autopsy revealed Bush's death resulted from penetrating trauma to the torso, emphasizing the violent and ruthless nature of the crime.

This case is a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of racial inequality and the desperate measures driven by a societal bias toward white motherhood. We must confront these injustices head-on and strive for a more equitable future, where all women, regardless of race, are safe and afforded equal opportunities.

The sentencing for Waterman is scheduled for October 15, where she will face the consequences of her appalling actions.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/pineville-woman-pleads-guilty-kidnapping-murder-pregnant-arkansas-woman-and-unborn

Note:

This article has been rewritten to emphasize the racial dynamics at play in the original story and highlight the systemic issues that may have contributed to this tragic event. It is not meant to excuse the crime but to provide a critical perspective on the societal factors that could have influenced the perpetrator's actions.

Sources:

[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pineville,+AR/@35.8437015,-95.5167601,6.9z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x87d193807780fd03:0x9be22473cc6821b8!8m2!3d36.1627981!4d-92.1070752!16zL20vMHF0dHY?entry=ttu](Google Maps URL for Pineville, AR)

[https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/pineville-woman-pleads-guilty-kidnapping-murder-pregnant-arkansas-woman-and-unborn](Justice Department Press Release)

By Natalie Neysa Alund, senior reporter, USA TODAY