NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A Pennsylvania woman has been charged with criminal homicide in connection to the death of a one-year-old child after an autopsy determined the baby's death was the result of fatal levels of acetone in her blood, state Attorney General Michelle Henry announced Thursday.
In the months before her death, Iris Alfera ingested numerous "water beads," along with button-shaped batteries and a metal screw, Henry's office said.
Aleisia Owens, 20, of New Castle, Lawrence County, allegedly searched online for the harm that "water beads" and batteries can cause in the months before the baby ingested the items, authorities claim.
The child died in June 2023.
Owens is charged with criminal homicide regarding the baby’s death, and with attempted homicide, aggravated assault of a child, endangering the welfare of a child, and other offenses regarding her alleged conduct leading to the baby’s death and other acts of abuse in months prior.
The Office of Attorney General and New Castle Police Department investigated the abuse and death, which resulted in the filing of charges Thursday. She was denied bail due to the homicide charges.
“The details of this case are heartbreaking," Henry said. "It is hard to fathom someone taking deliberate steps to harm a completely helpless child, then mislead investigators about what happened.
“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.”
Members of the New Castle Police Department were the initial investigators of the death, Henry said. The Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office referred the case to the Office of Attorney General for prosecution.
On June 25, 2023, emergency responders were called to the home of Bailey Jacoby, where he lived with Owens, his girlfriend. At the scene, first responders found Jacoby’s one-year-old daughter, Alfera, unresponsive and transported her to UPMC Jameson Hospital for treatment.
Alfera was later airlifted to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, but, ultimately, the child passed away on June 29.
An autopsy performed the following day showed that the cause of death was acetone poisoning, which caused organ failure, Henry said. Medical experts who examined the baby’s body concluded that the child was exposed to acetone just before her hospitalization.
Further investigation found that in the months leading up to this incident, Owens had conducted web searches on her cellphone related to the actions that ultimately led to the child’s death, according to Herny.
From February to June, Owens repeatedly searched for information on household products that could cause a child serious harm or death, including water beads, batteries, and nail polish.
Searches included phrases such as, “beauty products that are poisonous to kids” and “medications leading to cause accidental poisoning deaths in children," Henry said.
Water beads can be found in toys and crafts, and can be harmful to children if swallowed. Months before the child’s death, the child was hospitalized after ingesting multiple harmful objects, including about 20 water beads, batteries, and a metal screw.
This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Alicia Werner and Senior Deputy Attorney General Kara Rice.
