Pennsylvania woman allegedly kills boyfriend's kid by feeding her screws, batteries; Arrested

A Pennsylvania woman has been accused of fatally poisoning her boyfriend's toddler by feeding her batteries, screws, and nail polish remover. According to the New York Post, 20-year-old Aleisia Owens was apprehended on Thursday for the suspected homicide of 18-month-old Iris Rita Alfera last June.

Pennsylvania woman kills boyfriend’s child

Owens was arrested after an autopsy found fatal acetone levels in the child's blood, announced Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry.

Henry stated, "The details of this case are heartbreaking. It is hard to fathom someone taking deliberate steps to harm a completely helpless child, and then mislead investigators."

The investigation revealed Owens conducted meticulous research for months on how certain substances harm children before allegedly acting.

What happened in June last year?

On June 25 last year, Owens was with Iris' father, Bailey Jacoby, when he left to go to the store. Later, Jacoby received a call from Owens that something was wrong with his daughter. Jacoby rushed home to find Iris unresponsive and immediately called 911.

Iris was rushed to UPMC Jameson Hospital in New Castle then airlifted an hour later to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. However, four days later she died of organ failure. Iris lived with her mother and grandparents while Jacoby had visitation rights.

What did autopsy report reveal?

Owens initially told police Iris hit her head after "cramping up" and falling off the bed. But an autopsy found Iris had ingested numerous water beads, batteries, and a metal screw in the months prior.

Search records revealed Owens looked up between February and June how certain household products could seriously harm or kill a child. She also searched for poisonous beauty products and medications that could cause accidental child deaths.