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Murder of Reese Bowman

In May 2017, 8-month-old Reese Bowman was smothered to death by a daycare worker at Rocket Tiers Learning Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The worker, Leah Walden, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in 2018 and was sentenced to 70 years in prison.

SOLVED2017

Rocket Tiers Learning Center, Baltimore, Maryland

3 SOURCESUPDATED JUL 2026
Illustrative

On May 23, 2017, Justin and Amy Bowman brought their two children, Sawyer and Reese, to Rocket Tiers Learning Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Reese Annette Bowman, born September 4, 2016, was 8 months old at the time. Leah Walden, a 24-year-old daycare worker at the facility, was caring for Reese that day.

When Walden returned from lunch, she found that Reese would not nap. Walden told a co-worker that she was frustrated with the infant, saying, "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." Walden then slapped Reese while the infant was in her crib, pinned the child down with one arm as Reese's legs thrashed, and subsequently placed a number of blankets over the infant's face, smothering her to death.

The assault was captured on camera at the daycare facility. Baltimore's Criminal Investigations Chief Stanley Bradford described the footage, stating: "Watching that video is disturbing. Reese Bowman, in my opinion, was tortured." Following the incident, Walden initially claimed that Bowman's death was accidental.

On November 27, 2018, Walden pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of Reese Bowman. She was sentenced to 70 years in prison. Rocket Tiers Learning Center closed permanently as a result of the murder.

Key facts

Victims
Reese Bowman
Date
2017
Location
Rocket Tiers Learning Center, Baltimore, Maryland
Case status
solved

Case timeline

  1. 2016-09-04

    Reese Annette Bowman is born.

  2. 2017-05-23

    Reese Bowman is smothered to death by daycare worker Leah Walden at Rocket Tiers Learning Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

  3. 2018-11-27

    Leah Walden pleads guilty to the first-degree murder of Reese Bowman and is sentenced to 70 years in prison.

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People

  • Reese Bowman

    VICTIM

    8-month-old infant smothered to death by a daycare worker on May 23, 2017.

  • Leah Walden

    CONVICTED

    Daycare worker who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder of Reese Bowman on November 27, 2018, and was sentenced to 70 years in prison.

Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.

Places

Rocket Tiers Learning Center, Baltimore, Maryland

39.2904, -76.6122

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Common questions

What happened to the victim?
In May 2017, 8-month-old Reese Bowman was smothered to death by a daycare worker at Rocket Tiers Learning Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The worker, Leah Walden, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in 2018 and was sentenced to 70 years in prison.
Where did the murder happen?
Rocket Tiers Learning Center, Baltimore, Maryland.
Who was convicted?
Leah Walden (Daycare worker who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder of Reese Bowman on November 27, 2018, and was sentenced to 70 years in prison.).
What is the current status of the case?
Status: solved.
More cases in Maryland

Sources

  1. ENCYCLOPEDICMurder of Reese BowmanWikipedia · 2026-07-07
  2. PRESSContemporaneous coverage — PeoplePeople · 2026-07-07
  3. PRESSContemporaneous coverage — The New York TimesThe New York Times · 2026-07-07

Record history

First published
JUL 07, 2026

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