Jealousy is a motive as old as time for murder. Cain killed Able out of jealousy. Countless women all over the world have done unspeakable acts due to jealousy, including murder. But...what if the person that was murdered was an 18-month-old baby? How could jealousy play a part?
NEW CASTLE, Pa. - Baby Iris was happy-go-lucky with a seemingly permanent smile on her face. She was smart, beautiful, and inquisitive. At 18 months, she knew many words and sign language. Her mother doted on her, took her everywhere with her, and spent countless hours teaching her sign language among other things. Baby Iris was her pride and joy, and you knew it by taking just one look at the 2 of them together. After all, Baby Iris and her mother even wore matching outfits.
Unfortunately, Iris's mother and father didn't make it as a couple. They separated, but they had a wonderful co-parenting relationship. Whenever mom or dad needed to change plans or days, they both agreed and facilitated one another. They worked hard at having a good co-parenting relationship, and that's the best outcome for any child that goes between houses.
But that didn't last...
The green-eyed monster by the name of Alesia Owens came into the picture. She came in between the wonderful co-parenting relationship mom, Emily, and dad, Bailey, had first. 20-year-old Alesia couldn't be satiated in her relationship with Bailey as it was. She needed Baby Iris's mother, Emily, out of the picture completely. Once the co-parenting relationship was taken care of, she then set her sights on Baby Iris, the last connection to Bailey's ex.
This story starts months ago, but will justice prevail in the end? You see, Child Youth Services became involved after Baby Iris was taken to the hospital for passing 20 water beads, a screw, and button batteries. Child Youth Services determined that Baby Iris could go back into the care of her father and live-in girlfriend, Alesia. Unbeknownst to Emily and her family, Alesia was making some horrifying web searches months before the death of Baby Iris.
What were those web searches? According to WPXI, "police said they found Owens had conducted several Google searches from February to June related to the criminal actions and facts that directly led to Iris’ death, including questions about children drinking acetone or nail polish, poisonous beauty products, “water beads near me,” poisonous products to babies and kids, what happens if a baby swallows a button battery, medications that can poison children, medications you shouldn’t give a baby and more."
Polygraph results aren't allowed in court, but you know what is? Web searches like, "How to pass a polygraph test?" Yes, Owens also conducted that web search.
On June 25, 2023, Baby Iris was rushed to the hospital for going limp and becoming unresponsive, according to Owens. She claimed that Baby Iris fell off the bed, but that she didn't hit her head. Alesia called Bailey, who was buying groceries, and told him what was happening. Bailey left his groceries there at the store and sprinted for the exit. He told Alesia to call 9-1-1. For 4 long days, Baby Iris slowly succumbed to whatever ailed her.
On June 29, 2023, Iris passed away. The medical examiner and doctors determined that Iris died by ingesting acetone, and the method was a homicide. They also informed police that Baby Iris suffered multiple injuries the weekend she was at her father's house including subdural hematoma, bilateral retinal hemorrhages, acetone in her blood, and her body was in organ failure.
Owens is now officially charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault of a child less than 6 years of age, endangering the welfare of children, and aggravated assault of a child less than 13 years of age. She faces a life sentence. Many in the community think she deserves the death penalty.
Baby Iris's grandparents and mother are seeking justice in this situation, but Child Services dropped the ball. Now a baby is dead due to their negligence. How can justice prevail, when this situation was on Child Youth Services' radar to begin with?
Grandfather Frank Alfera said, "We had to go to court, Child Youth Services, they investigated and they said that it was OK, that he could go back to his regular visitation. As far as I'm concerned, Child Youth Services dropped the ball. We want to change the law to prevent this from happening again. At least change it to the point where they have to have supervised visitation if something is wrong."
Timeline of Events:
In February 2023 Owens conducts incriminating web searches. This continues through June of 2023.
March 30, 2023 - April 1, 2023, Baby Iris swallowed and passed at least 20 water beads, 3 button batteries, and a screw. Authorities contacted Child Youth Services to investigate. CYS determined Iris could go back to her father's house unsupervised.
Days leading up to June 25, 2023, Bailey and Alesia said Baby Iris vomited a few times.
On June 25, 2023, Alesia called Bailey to inform him something was wrong with Iris. She said she was lethargic and fell off the bed but didn't hit her head. He told her to call 9-1-1.
At 2:06 p.m. Iris was taken to UPMC Jameson in critical condition after an incident that happened on the 400 block of Electric Street in New Castle
On June 29, 2023, Iris succumbs to her injuries.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office informed police that she died of acetone poisoning, that this was a homicide, and it was discovered she had these injuries: subdural hematoma, bilateral retinal hemorrhages, acetone in her blood, and her body was in organ failure.
Doctors told police that this abuse occurred within the week-end when Iris was at her father's house.
January 2024 Owens is finally charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault of a child less than 6 years of age, endangering the welfare of children, and aggravated assault of a child less than 13 years of age. She faces a life sentence. Many in the community think she deserves the death penalty.
Written By: Jennifer
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