Murder of Reese Bowman
Reese Bowman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Reese Annette Bowman September 4, 2016 |
| Died | (aged 8 months 19 days) |
| Cause of death | Asphyxiation by smothering |
| Parent(s) | Justin and Amy Bowman |
On May 23, 2017, 8-month-old Reese Annette Bowman (September 4, 2016 – May 23, 2017) was smothered to death by daycare worker, Leah Walden in Baltimore, Maryland. Walden pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of Bowman on November 27, 2018, and was sentenced to 70 years in prison.
Background
[edit]Justin and Amy Bowman brought their two children, Sawyer and Reese, to Rocket Tiers Learning Center in Baltimore, Maryland on May 23, 2017.
At the time, Leah Walden was a 24-year-old daycare worker at Rocket Tiers.[1] When Leah Walden returned from lunch to Rocket Tiers Learning Center, she found that Reese Bowman would not nap. Walden told a co-worker: "Girl, I'm frustrated ... I'm sick of this little bitch. I hate this little bitch. ... She makes me want to punch her in the face."[2][3] Walden slapped Reese in the crib, then pinned the infant down with one arm as Reese kicked out her legs in desperation. Walden subsequently put a number of blankets over the child's face and smothered her to death.[4]
The assault on Bowman by Walden was caught on camera.[2] Baltimore's Criminal Investigations Chief Stanley Bradford said: "Watching that video is disturbing. Reese Bowman, in my opinion, was tortured."[5] Walden initially claimed that Bowman's death was accidental. Later, she pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder at trial on November 27, 2018, and was sentenced to 70 years imprisonment.[6][7] Rocket Tiers Learning Center closed permanently as a result of the murder.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Sokmensuer, Harriet (November 28, 2018). "Day Care Worker Who Smothered Baby, Calling Her a 'Little B----,' Gets 70-Year Prison Sentence". people.com. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ a b Prudente, Tim (27 November 2018). "Baltimore day care worker pleads guilty to smothering baby to death, gets 70 years in prison". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Daycare Worker Said 'I'm Sick Of This Little B—h' Before Smothering A Crying Baby To Death". BET. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Day care worker pleads guilty to smothering infant girl". 10tv.com. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ O'Leary, Abigail (28 November 2018). "Baby thrashed legs as daycare worker killed her by pressing blankets on her face". mirror. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Day care worker pleads guilty to smothering infant girl". fox61.com. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Day Care Worker Pleads Guilty to Smothering Infant Girl - The New York Times". www.nytimes.com. Archived from the original on 2018-12-09.
- ^ "Baltimore day care worker pleads guilty to smothering baby who wouldn't nap". CTVNews. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2021.