Suspected Killer Of Miami Infant, Mother Arrested

MIAMI, FL — A 28-year-old man suspected in the murders of a 12-day-old baby girl and her mother was taken into custody on Wednesday in the Cayman Islands. Wayne Collier is awaiting extradition back to Miami in connection with the deaths of 27-year-old Heidy Bowen and her baby girl, who died after being delivered in an emergency cesarean. Bowen clung to life for two months in critical condition after being shot multiple times on Nov. 3 in the area of NW 49 Street and NW 19 Avenue.

Detective Lee Cowart of the Miami-Dade Police Department told Patch early Thursday that Collier would be charged with two counts of second-degree murder and a weapons offense after allegedly opening fire on Bowen, who was pregnant at the time.

"She actually got shot in the face but she was shot multiple times," explained Cowart. "None of the projectiles struck the fetus."

Bowen was found unresponsive when Miami-Dade police arrived on the scene following the shooting. She lost her battle for life on Jan. 3 at Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center.

Cowart said Collier was an acquaintance of Bowen's but his relationship beyond that was unclear.

"She was able to — in a very rudimentary way — communicate with the detectives. She was not able to speak, but she was able to actually give them signs," Cowart explained. He described such rudimentary communication along the lines of the woman being able to squeeze her hands in response to questions.

Police called the child Baby Bowen during her short life.

To report a tip, contact Miami-Dade Police Department Homicide Detective M. Parmenter at 305-471-2400. Alternatively, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or 866-471-8477, visit crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip" or text "CSMD" followed by the tip to 274637.

Photo of Wayne Collier courtesy Miami-Dade Police Department