A Lawrence County woman accused of killing her boyfriend’s 1-year-old daughter spent months researching lethal substances before the child died from acetone poisoning on June 29, according to a news release from Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry.
Aleisia Owens, 20, was charged on Thursday with criminal homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault of a child, endangering the welfare of a child and other offenses, following an investigation from the Office of Attorney General and New Castle police.
“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 Ms. Henry in a news release.
On June 25, emergency responders were dispatched to Bailey Jacoby’s home, where he lived with Ms. Owens. There, they found Mr. Jacoby’s daughter, Iris Alfera, unresponsive.
She was transported to UPMC Jameson Hospital and then airlifted to UPMC Children’s Hospital. Four days later, Iris died from her injuries.
Medical examiners ruled Iris’ death a homicide after an autopsy showed she was exposed to acetone just before her hospitalization, causing her organs to fail.
Investigators also learned that in the months leading up to Iris’ death, she was hospitalized after ingesting 20 water beads, batteries, and a metal screw.
They discovered that beginning in February, Ms. Owens had repeatedly searched on her cellphone for household products that can cause a child serious harm or death, including water beads, batteries and nail polish.
Other phrases she searched for were “beauty products that are poisonous to kids” and “medications leading to cause accidental poisoning deaths in children.”
New Castle police Chief Robert Salem said the death of Iris “brought pain, sadness, and anger” to the community and his department worked “tirelessly” on the case.
“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,” he said.
Ms. Owens is being held without bail.
First Published: January 11, 2024, 5:24 p.m.
Updated: January 12, 2024, 10:50 a.m.