Government asks that Pineville couple be held without bond for kidnapping, murder of pregnant woman

Detention hearings have been scheduled for a Pineville couple charged with kidnapping and murdering a pregnant Arkansas woman.

The hearing for Amber Waterman, 42, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday in U. S. District Court in Springfield. Online court records indicate she will be represented by a federal public defender.

Jamie Waterman's hearing, also originally scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed until 11 a.m. Thursday, at the request of his court-appointed attorney, Shane Cantin, Springfield, who had a conflict.

The Watermans made their initial court appearance Friday and are being held in the Greene County Jail.

Their alleged crimes were detailed in a news release from the U. S. Attorney's office:

Amber Waterman is charged with one count of kidnapping resulting in death. The federal criminal complaint alleges that, between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, 2022, Amber Waterman kidnapped Ashley Bush, who was approximately 31 weeks pregnant, in order to claim her unborn child as her own. She allegedly transported Ashley Bush from Maysville, Arkansas, to Pineville, resulting in her death.

Jamie Waterman is charged with one count of being an accessory after the fact to kidnapping resulting in death. The federal criminal complaint alleges that he assisted Amber Waterman, in order to hinder and prevent her apprehension, trial, and punishment, knowing she had committed the offense of kidnapping resulting in death.

In detention motions filed today, Assistant U. S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan said the Watermans would be a danger to the community if they were allowed bond:

Given the nature and circumstances of the offenses charged, the weight of the evidence against the defendant, and the danger to the community by the defendant’s release, the United States submits that there is clear and convincing evidence that there are no conditions that would reasonably assure the defendant’s appearance in court or the safety of the victim(s) or community.

Court Documents:

waterman_amber_complaint_redacted.pdf

waterman_jamie_complaint_redacted.pdf