Pennsylvania State Police scary set Charges against a woman who allegedly killed her boyfriend's 1-year-old child by giving her a battery, metal screws and poison.
Eighteen-month-old Iris Alfera was taken to hospital on June 25 after the accident was reported at her home in Newcastle.
She died four days later.
Police said they were called to the home by Alecia Owens, who found the girl lethargic. The call was made while the girl's father, Bailey Jacoby, was at her store. Owens said her child fell off the bed, but her complaint states the mattress was only 6 inches from the carpeted floor.
Doctors told police that the girl had suffered numerous injuries, including bilateral retinal hemorrhages and a subdural hematoma, and her body had suffered organ failure. They said any parent would have noticed changes in their child over the weekend.
Investigator found In the months before her death, the child had ingested a metal screw, three “button” batteries, and more than 20 “water beads.” This toy expands when it comes into contact with water and can be extremely dangerous if swallowed by children.
Owens turned over her cell phone for analysis, and investigators used the 20-year-old's online searches to build the case against her.
The searches took place from February to June and included questions about medicines and batteries that could be harmful to children. One search included a question about acetone given to children. She also allegedly researched ways to pass a polygraph test.
In addition, the Allegheny County Coroner's Office found that the child's death was due to acetone poisoning and ruled the cause of death a homicide.
Police arrested Owens and charged him with murder, aggravated assault of a child under 6 with endangering the welfare of a child, and aggravated assault of a child under 13. She was denied her bail.
If convicted, Owens could be sentenced to life in prison.
“The details of this case are heartbreaking. It is difficult to imagine that someone would have taken deliberate steps to harm a completely helpless child and mislead investigators about what happened,” said Justice Michelle Henry. the Secretary said in a statement.
Here are the details of this horrific incident:
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