On January 11, 2024, 20-year-old Alicia Owens of New Castle, Pennsylvania, was arrested in connection with the death of her boyfriend's 18-month-old daughter, Iris Alvera. She poisoned the child with water beads, batteries and a metal nail, NBC Philadelphia reported.
A press release from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office stated that on June 25, 2023, emergency responders arrived at the residence of Billy Jacoby, where he was living with his girlfriend, Alicia. Upon arrival, first responders discovered that the 18-month-old was unresponsive, so they transported her to UPMC Jameson Hospital for treatment. The baby was later airlifted to UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, where she was pronounced dead on June 29, 2023.
According to the press release from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, Alicia Owens has been charged with criminal homicide, attempted murder, aggravated assault of a child, endangering the welfare of a child, and other crimes, in connection with conduct that led to the child's death and other crimes. Acts of abuse in the previous months.
Alicia Owens did Internet searches about toxic substances before the victim's death
After her autopsy, the coroner determined that 18-month-old Iris Alvera's cause of death was acetone poisoning, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office press release stated. Lethal levels of acetone were found in her blood at the time of death, leading to organ failure. Her death was ruled a homicide. Medical experts also concluded that the child had been exposed to acetone shortly before she was admitted to the hospital.
According to the press release from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, investigators found that months before her death, Iris was hospitalized after ingesting several harmful substances, including about 20 water beads, button batteries, and a metal nail. Water beads can be found in toys and crafts and can be harmful to children if consumed.
During the investigation, authorities found that prior to the child's death, Alicia Owens had conducted online research on the harm water beads and batteries could cause to children. They also discovered that, in the months leading up to the incident, she had conducted internet searches on her mobile phone, consistent with the actions leading up to Iris's death. Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said in the press release:
“The details of this case are heartbreaking. It is difficult to fathom that someone would intentionally take steps to harm a completely helpless child, and then mislead investigators about what happened. The investigation shows that the defendant, for months, conducted careful research into how harmful certain materials were,” she added. “I acted after This is based on my findings. “My office will never stop working to hold accountable individuals who put the lives of others, especially vulnerable children, at risk.”
The press release from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office stated that from February 2023 to June 2023, Alicia Owens repeatedly searched for information about household products that could result in serious harm or death to a child, including water beads, batteries, and nail polish. Searches included terms such as “cosmetic products that are toxic to children” and “drugs that lead to accidental poisoning in children.”
Alicia Owens also did research on how to pass a polygraph test, WPXI reported.
Alicia Owens was denied bail
The New Castle Police Department was the primary investigator in Iris Alvera's death, and the Lawrence County District Attorney's Office referred the case to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office for prosecution. New Castle Police Department Chief Robert Salem said:
“The death of Iris Alvera has brought pain, sadness and anger to our community. The New Castle City Police Department worked tirelessly on this case with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office to bring the person responsible to justice. I am extremely proud of the officers, detectives and agents who participated in the investigation of this case.” complex and arrest the person responsible for the child's death.
The press release from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office stated that Alicia Owens was denied bail on the murder charges.
Following Iris Alvera's death, a GoFundMe fundraiser was created with the goal of raising $20,000, the donations of which would help amend visitation laws and educate against child abuse. At the time of this writing, more than $17,500 has been raised.
