Plea change hearing scheduled in Amber Waterman’s federal case: court filing

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KNWA/KFTA) — A plea change hearing has been scheduled in the federal case of a woman accused of kidnapping and murdering a Benton County woman in 2022, according to a court filing.

Amber Waterman was set to go on trial on October 21 in Springfield, Mo., alongside her husband Jamie, after facing multiple delays .

A notice of hearing filed on Tuesday said a change of plea hearing has been set for July 30 at 11:30 a.m. in Springfield.

Waterman is facing causing the death of an unborn child and kidnapping resulting in death charges. She originally pleaded not guilty to those charges.

An indictment said in October 2022 , Amber kidnapped Ashley Bush, who was 31 weeks pregnant, after meeting her online under false pretenses.

Bush’s body and that of her unborn child were found outside of Waterman’s home in Pineville, Mo.

The indictment said Jamie assisted Amber after she kidnapped Bush, knowing she had committed a crime. He is charged with one count of being an accessory after the fact to kidnapping resulting in death.

No new hearings or plea change documents have been filed in federal court for Jamie as of July 2.

Amber is set to appear in Benton County Court on July 15 after a judge ordered her to be transferred back to Bentonville for her court date.

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