Waterman could make his first appearance in Arkansas as early as July.
BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Arkansas — Amber Waterman, a Missouri woman arrested for allegedly kidnapping and killing an Arkansas woman and her unborn baby, will potentially make her first appearance in Arkansas this July, according to new court documents.
Since her arrest in 2022, Waterman has been detained in Missouri and the case against her in Arkansas for capital murder and kidnapping has failed to move forward.
Benton County prosecutors previously attempted to bring Waterman into the courtroom, but were unsuccessful.
Former prosecutor Nathan Smith told 5NEWS in June 2023 that federal authorities would not allow Waterman to appear in court in Benton County, even by video, and that the case in Arkansas could not proceed until the federal case had concluded. .
Waterman was ordered to appear on June 17 for his arraignment in Benton County, but due to his arrest in Missouri he was unable to attend.
Now, new court documents filed by prosecutor Josh Robinson and ordered by Judge Robin Green say Waterman could make his first appearance in Arkansas as early as July.
The document says Waterman is expected to appear in court on July 15.
Robinson confirmed to 5NEWS that this would be his first appearance in Arkansas, as long as federal authorities allow his transport, and added that while the federal prosecutor’s position has not changed, he is hopeful they can continue pursuing the case.
Court documents say Waterman will remain in federal custody while in Benton County, and all costs associated with his transfer will be borne by the state of Arkansas.
As Waterman’s first appearance in the Natural State since his arrest in 2022, it would mark the first step of many in the prosecution of this case in Benton County.
Robinson says the hearing would be for bail and her arraignment, where she would plead not guilty.
Court documents detail that Waterman kidnapped Ashley Bush after meeting her online under false pretenses.
Waterman reportedly told Bush he would pick her up to take her to a job interview, but instead he kidnapped Bush and took her to his home in Pineville, Missouri.
Waterman is accused of killing Bush and her unborn daughter in an attempt to claim the child as her own, going so far as to allegedly claim that she gave birth to the baby, according to court documents.
In the federal case, Waterman faces charges of causing the death of a fetus and kidnapping resulting in death, and her husband Jamie is charged with accessory after the fact.
His federal trial is scheduled for October 21 of this year.
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