Girl, 1, Dies after Being Left with Dad's Girlfriend While He Goes to Store: 'Details of This Case Are Heartbreaking'

A little girl died after being hospitalized, and the case related to her untimely death went unresolved for nearly a year. However, an arrest has recently been made.

A one-year-old child from New Castle named Iris Alfera was in the custody of her father, Bailey Jacoby, and his live-in girlfriend, Aleisia Owens, when she suddenly got sick and was rushed to the hospital.

Alfera's dad reportedly stepped out and went to the store, leaving her in the care of Owens. While out, Owens called Jacoby, saying that his daughter was lethargic and there was something wrong with her.

She further told him that the toddler had fallen from the bed but did not hit her head. Alfera's father advised Owens to call 911. He later relayed what his girlfriend had told him about the incident to dispatch. Interestingly, while divulging this information, Owens chimed in and said the child hit her head after all.

Owens claimed she seated her boyfriend's child on the bed while feeding her. At that moment, Alfera's arms "cramped up," and the little girl fell off the bed. In response, Owens allegedly started chest compressions and called Jacoby. She only contacted 911 after calling her partner.

Alfera, who was unresponsive by the time the first responders arrived on the scene, was transported to UPMC Jameson following the incident. During that period, she was said to be in critical condition. The youngster sadly died on June 29, 2023, at UMPC Children's Hospital.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office reportedly informed law enforcement officials that Alfera had tested positive for acetone. Her cause of death was determined to be acetone poisoning, and the way she died was ruled to be a homicide.

Most recently, Attorney General Michelle Henry revealed that Owens, who hails from Lawrence County, was apprehended on charges related to Alfera's death.

The 20-year-old, who lied about the circumstances that led to the child's hospitalization, was charged with criminal homicide and several other offenses, including attempted homicide, aggravated assault of a child, and endangering the welfare of a child.

The Office of the Attorney General and New Castle Police Department investigated the case. Owens was found responsible for conduct that led to Alfera's death, including acts of abuse in the months prior.

Alfera had reportedly swallowed several water beads, as well as button-shaped batteries and a metal crew. Owens' search history on Google led to her arrest.

According to the officials, she researched the impact that water beads and batteries could have on children for months before Alfera ingested the items. The Attorney General commented on the case, saying:

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

Owens allegedly acted on her findings. Henry emphasized that the Attorney General's Office would never stop working hard to bring the perpetrators who intentionally inflict harm on others, especially children, to book.

Meanwhile, the New Castle Police Department Chief Robert Salem expressed, "The death of Iris Alfera has brought pain, sadness, and anger to our community."

Salem further explained that the police department worked day and night on the case along with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General to ensure the culprit was charged with the crime.

Owens was denied bail because of the homicide charges and is facing a life sentence. Following the recent developments, Alfera's family members took to Facebook under the page "Iris' Angels," to thank all those who helped get justice for the deceased on behalf of the child's mother, Emily Alfera.

According to the social media post, dated January 11, 2024, it took "196 days" for the toddler's case to be resolved as the officials wanted to ensure the research was thorough and that no errors would be made.

The statement further read that the arrest affidavit would be made public and that the family would no longer be making public statements pertaining to the case moving forward.

Read about a 10-month-old baby boy who was found deceased on the road near his father's house. The parent was accused of killing his child.