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.[1][2] Walden pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of Bowman on November 27, 2018, and was sentenced to 70 years in prison.
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 |
Events
editJustin and Amy Bowman both worked and brought their two children, Sawyer and Reese, to Rocket Tiers Learning Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The murder of Reese Bowman occurred on May 23, 2017. It was caught on camera and her brother Sawyer was upstairs at the time it occurred.[3]
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."[3][4] 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.[5] Baltimore's Criminal Investigations Chief Stanley Bradford said: "Watching that video is disturbing. Reese Bowman, in my opinion, was tortured."[6]
Trial
edit24-year-old Walden initially claimed that Bowman's death was accidental but pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder at trial on November 27, 2018, and was sentenced to 70 years imprisonment. Judge Althea Handy was brought to tears by the surveillance footage captured by the daycare's security cameras of Bowman's murder.[7]
In his victim impact statement, Justin Bowman stated that "Reese Annette Bowman accomplished more in her short life than this woman ever will."[7]
Aftermath
editRocket Tiers Learning Center closed permanently as a result of the murder.[8] Bowman's parents quit their jobs and left Baltimore after their child was murdered. Justin Bowman stated in the trial that he is reduced to tears whenever he sees another father holding a young daughter.[3]
References
edit- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Baltimore day care worker pleads guilty to smothering baby who wouldn't nap". CTVNews. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2021.