PA - Iris Rita Amber Alfera, 18 months, died of child abuse, shaken, New Castle, 29 June 2023

[imstilla.grandma]

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Family and friends of 18-month-old Iris Alfera held a vigil and a balloon release for the toddler who died before she could celebrate her second birthday.

Iris died on Thursday at UPMC Children’s Hospital after an incident that happened on the 400 block of Electric Street in New Castle at 2:06 p.m. on June 25.

The family of the toddler says she died of child abuse.

Family of New Castle toddler who died hold vigil, look for answers

Family and friends of 18-month-old Iris Alfera held a vigil and a balloon release for the toddler who died before she could celebrate her second birthday.

www.wpxi.com

The family’s attorney said the baby was shaken.

The family says Iris Rita Amber Alfera was described as “a pure and beautiful gift from God.”

“From the moment of her birth, Iris’ smile radiated with the brilliance of a thousand sunsets, and her eyes sparkled with the wonder of a million stars,” one family member wrote in a Facebook post.

Family members say she suffered from a brain bleed and was unresponsive. The family’s attorney, Adrienne Langer, says Iris was in the care of a relative at the time and that the extent of the relative’s involvement in her injuries has not yet been determined.

Local family mourns passing of 18-month girl, investigation ongoing

Iris Rita Amber Alfera was described as “a pure and beautiful gift from God.”

www.wkbn.com

 

[Herat]

There is a DM article today that says little Iris Alfera was poisoned by her father's GF using acetone. After she tried battery acid and metal screws.

That doesn't really square with the above June 2 report of the child's death from a cerebral hemorrhage while in the care of a relative.

Vile woman kills her boyfriend's 18-month-old adorable toddler

Iris Rita Alfera died on June 29 from acetone poisoning in New Castle, Pennsylvania. The toddler was poisoned with acetone by her father's girlfriend, Aleisia Lynnae Owens, police said

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[cocomod]

Her mom has been so vocal - I am glad they finally have an arrest.

 

[borndem]

At least there is an arrest.
It appears that the alleged perpetrator did a fair amount of research -- I guess the perp wanted to "get it right" the first time.
SMH and dammit.

 

[PhoebeTries]

From the articles little Iris lived with mom, and dad had visitation rights only. Stepmonster couldn't even remove herself from the situation during those moments? The baby had to be removed instead? Completely and permanently? Vile, vile creature. Mom looks so radiant in every picture with Iris, it's heartbreaking.

 

[PhoebeTries]

At least there is an arrest.
It appears that the alleged perpetrator did a fair amount of research -- I guess the perp wanted to "get it right" the first time.
SMH and dammit.

She used other people's pain for her gain. Parents on TikTok are warning the public about batteries and waterbeads after having lost their babies and not wanting anyone else to go through what they have gone through. Only for this woman to take it as a manual instead of a warning.

 

[Richrd]

.

24 January (Lower) Court Date:

CURRENTLY AWAITING TRIAL - Aleisia Lynnae Owens, F/20, Accused of Homicide+ :: New Castle City, Lawrence County - 1 February 2023

Deceased: Iris Rita Amber Alfera F/1

https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/Report/MdjDocketSheet?docketNumber=MJ-53304-CR-0000020-2024&dnh=74FYbg%2F2NvrbcDxiOhu5Mw%3D%3D

*

CBS News:

AG: PA woman poisoned boyfriend's 1-year-old daughter

Authorities with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General have announced charges against a Lawrence County woman following an investigation into the deat

local21news.com

Iris Alfera -- Aleisia Owens - Google Search

*Title 18 - Section 901 (F1) Attempted Homicide
appears to be omitted from these charges

Acetone poisoning Information | Mount Sinai - New York

Learn about Acetone poisoning or find a doctor at Mount Sinai Health System.

www.mountsinai.org

.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

"Prosecutors also alleged that Iris ingested 20 water beads, several "button-shaped batteries" and a metal screw in the months leading up to her death, and that Owens had searched online about the harm that beads and batteries can cause."

Woman Accused of Murdering Boyfriend's Daughter, 18 Months, by Feeding Her Batteries, Acetone

Aleisia Owens has been charged with criminal homicide in relation to the death of her boyfriend's child, Iris Alfera, 18 months. Owens allegedly searched online for household products harmful to children in the months before the child's death.

people.com

If these allegations are true, someone tortured this sweet baby to death. I hope justice will be thorough.

 

[bleuboy]

To be able to plan, research and follow through with the the things she has done to Iris, she must be without feelings. What 20 year old even thinks to do these things. She watched this baby knowing she was killing her. Iris would have been in severe pain from swallowing the batteries. I have watched a program of a baby swallowing one and the destruction it caused in the babies body.

 

[borndem]

Why, why, why? A beautiful, one-of-a-kind gift, and she was tortured unto death -- for what?
So glad to see the probable perpetrator is in custody.
If she is tried & convicted, she, IMO, will not be greeted in prison as someone to hang out with. Hoping that prison will be hell for her. Grrrrr.

 

[Richrd]

.

13 February (Lower) Court Date:

CURRENTLY AWAITING TRIAL - Aleisia Lynnae Owens, F/20, Accused of Homicide+ :: New Castle City, Lawrence County - 1 February 2023

Deceased: Iris Rita Amber Alfera F/1

https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/Repor...-CR-0000020-2024&dnh=74FYbg/2NvrbcDxiOhu5Mw==
*

CBS News:

AG: PA woman poisoned boyfriend's 1-year-old daughter​

Authorities with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General have announced charges against a Lawrence County woman following an investigation into the deat

local21news.com


Iris Alfera -- Aleisia Owens - Google Search

*Title 18 - Section 901 (F1) Attempted Homicide
appears to be omitted from these charges

Acetone poisoning Information | Mount Sinai - New York​

Learn about Acetone poisoning or find a doctor at Mount Sinai Health System.
www.mountsinai.org

.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Forensic extractions of Owen’s cell phone show she searched online for topics such as,

• “If your child drinks a lot of nail polish remover, what happens,”
• “What happens if a baby eats nail polish,”
• “How many cases have there been from babies dying from eating nail polish.”

Another search on Owens’ phone reads,

• “In how many cases have kids died from eating water beads”
• “water beads harmful”
• “Water beads near me”
• “Beauty products that are poisonous to kids

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace: BABY IRIS DEAD After Daddy’s JEALOUS MISTRESS Feeds Her Nail Polish Remover, Batteries

A 1-year-old child died after being fed waterbeads, batteries, and acetone. Aleisia Owens, 21, the girlfriend of the baby Iris’ father, had been arrested for intentionally feeding the child harmful items. According to police, the child died of organ failure, a result of acetone poisoning. The...

www.crimeonline.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The death of the 18-month-old girl has left an entire Pennsylvania community in mourning, Iris' great aunt Crystal Joseph told Newsweek in an interview on Monday.

"Please let the world know monsters do exist," Joseph said. "And watch for the personality changes in parents when they begin to date. Parents, don't be so eager to leave your children in the care of a person who shows jealousy or hatred toward the other parent."

Joseph said the family believes Iris' death was "a malicious act" to hurt the little girl's mother, 22-year-old Emily Alfera. Now, she said their "entire community is mourning our beautiful Iris."

"It is hard to fathom someone taking deliberate steps to harm a completely helpless child, then mislead investigators about what happened," Henry said. "The investigation shows that, for months, the defendant conducted meticulous research on how certain substances harm children. She then allegedly acted on her findings."

She said while Iris' loved ones were "surprised, disgusted and completely heartbroken over how our baby was injured," they weren't shocked that authorities have charged Owens with homicide.

"We miss our precious Iris with our entire beings and souls," Joseph said. She was and will always remain Emily's entire life. Every moment Emily spent being Iris' mommy was pure joy and happiness."

Iris and her mom lived with Emily's parents "Gaga" Candise and "Papap" Frank Alfera along with her dog and cats, whom the toddler loved cuddling, Joseph said, referring to the 18-month-old girl as a "bundle of love,"

"A very bright and happy baby," she told Newsweek. "She loved Ms. Rachel and knew so much sign language from watching her even before she could even speak. She also loved to watch Moana and Bluey."

Joseph said the toddler was adored by her family and that Iris' numerous aunts and uncle were "in amazement of how smart she was."

"Pray for our family and spread awareness of abuse," Joseph told Newsweek, adding that "the laws need to change."

If you suspect a child of being abused, call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline 24 hours a day at 800-843-5678.

'Monsters do exist:' Family speaks after 18-month-old girl fatally poisoned

The father's girlfriend is facing charges after researching ways to harm the girl before she died, authorities alleged.

www.newsweek.com