A woman is facing murder charges in the death of her boyfriend’s 1-year-old daughter, Iris Rita Alfera.
The Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General confirmed their joint investigation with the New Castle Police Department found that 20-year-old Aleisia Owens was responsible for the toddler’s death, saying she abused the child, which led to her death.
On June 25, 2023, emergency crews responded to the home of Iris Alfera’s father, Jacoby, where he lived with Owens, his girlfriend and found the 1-year-old girl unresponsive.
She was rushed to UPMC Jameson Hospital before she was flown to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. The 18-month-old died on June 29.
A medical examiner later determined that Iris’s death was caused by fatal levels of acetone in her blood and ruled it a homicide. The acetone caused the baby to go into organ failure. Authorities say Owens fed Iris batteries, screws and nail polish remover after she researched the harmful effects the items could have on a child before the killing, the New York Post reported.
Investigators discovered what Owens had done after searching her phone, which they say contained multiple incriminating web searches, including researching the effects of drinking acetone on a child.
“Her phone searches were a crucial piece of the evidence against her,” New Castle Police Chief Robert Salem said.
Owens now faces charges of criminal homicide, endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated assault. She has been denied bail, CBS News reported.
“It saddened the community,” Salem added. “It angered us. A lot of people in the community, they wanted immediate justice.
