HARRISBURG, PA – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the arrest of Aleisia Owens, a 20-year-old Lawrence County woman, for the abuse and death of her boyfriend’s one-year-old daughter.
Owens faces charges of criminal homicide for the baby’s death in June 2023, along with attempted homicide, aggravated assault of a child, endangering the welfare of a child, and other offenses related to prior abuse.
The case, investigated by the Office of Attorney General and New Castle Police Department, led to charges filed on Thursday. Owens has been denied bail due to the severity of the charges.
The Medical Examiner concluded that the child’s death was caused by fatal levels of acetone in her blood, ruling it a homicide. Prior to the death, the child ingested harmful objects including “water beads,” button-shaped batteries, and a metal screw. Investigators discovered Owens had researched the harmful effects of these items on children.
Attorney General Henry described the case as heartbreaking, highlighting the defendant’s extensive research into substances harmful to children and subsequent actions. New Castle Police Chief Robert Salem commended the collaborative efforts in bringing Owens to justice.
The incident began on June 25, 2023, when emergency responders were called to Bailey Jacoby’s home, where he lived with Owens. They found Jacoby’s daughter unresponsive and rushed her to UPMC Jameson Hospital. She was later airlifted to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh but passed away on June 29.
An autopsy revealed that acetone poisoning caused organ failure. Medical experts determined the child was exposed to acetone shortly before hospitalization. Investigations into Owens’ web searches revealed repeated inquiries into household products and substances harmful to children.
The New Castle Police Department initially investigated the death, with the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office later referring the case to the Office of Attorney General for prosecution.