Medical examiner confirms New Castle baby died of acetone poisoning

The mysterious death last summer of a New Castle baby was officially deemed a homicide Monday morning.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office said Iris Rita Alfera, 1, of New Castle died June 29 from acetone poisoning. The manner of death was deemed a homicide.

Iris, an 18-month-old Lawrence County child, died at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh at 1:52 p.m. June 29 — days after an incident in the 400 block of Electric Street in New Castle, the medical examiner said. Iris first was taken to UPMC Jameson hospital then transported down to Lawrenceville.

Aleisia Owens, 20, was charged Jan. 10 in the infants’ death on nine different counts, including criminal homicide, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child, court records show.

Owens, the girlfriend of Iris’ father, remained in Lawrence County Prison on Monday, court records show. District Judge Richard A. Russo denied her bail during a Jan. 11 arraignment.

Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 24.

Police in Lawrence County have said the acetone poisoning caused organ failure.

The medical examiner found “fatal levels of acetone” in Iris’ blood at the time of death, the state Attorney General’s office said in a statement.

In the months before the baby’s death, the child ingested numerous “water beads,” along with button-shaped batteries and a metal screw, the attorney general said.

Investigators discovered that Owens had been researching online the harm that water beads and batteries can cause children prior to the child ingesting the items.

Owens also allegedly searched for “water beads near me,” “what happens when someone drinks acetone,” “poisoniness [sic] products to babies,” and “medications leading to cause accidental poisoning deaths in children,” according to the criminal complaint.

Water beads can be found in toys and crafts, and can be harmful to children if swallowed, the attorney general said.