PHOENIX, AZ – A man in Arizona has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal killing of his ex-girlfriend and abandoning her baby by the roadside. Antwaun T. Ware, 27, was ordered by a county judge on Friday to spend the rest of his life in a state prison for the 2018 murder of Jasmine Rain Dunbar, officials confirmed.
Ware previously admitted to charges of first-degree murder and felony child endangerment, according to court documents.
“Such heinous behavior has no place in our society,” stated County Attorney Rachel Mitchell after the sentencing. “This man will remain behind bars due to the diligent efforts of our prosecutors. The community also owes gratitude to the individuals whose quick actions saved a child’s life.”
The dramatic series of events unfolded on the evening of March 6, 2018, when a couple driving near 83rd Avenue and Camelback Road discovered a car seat containing a seven-month-old baby. In addition, they found personal items, including an ID belonging to Dunbar, next to the child. The couple promptly notified the authorities.
Upon investigation, the Phoenix Police discovered that Ware had been with Dunbar to perform a paternity test the same day the child was found. Officers traced Ware’s movements and uncovered his presence at a field near 107th Avenue and Camelback Road, where Dunbar was murdered and set on fire.
Court documents detailed that Ware and Dunbar were last sighted at 9 p.m. that evening. Shortly thereafter, police were informed about the found baby at around 10 p.m. Items surrounding the child included a shoe, diaper bag, and a backpack with Dunbar’s identification.
Police reached out to Dunbar’s roommate, learning she had gone with her ex-boyfriend to a paternity test earlier that day, identifying Ware as the individual.
Authorities detained Ware at his residence in the early hours of March 7, where he confessed to the crime. He reportedly got into a violent confrontation with Dunbar, hitting her numerous times, and later left her in a field. Despite claiming she was alive when he left, he abandoned her child, hoping someone would rescue the infant.
Ware admitted returning to the field where he allegedly tried to dispose of Dunbar’s body using paper and gasoline, igniting it with a cigarette. Afterward, he attempted to evade police by sneaking through back streets to his girlfriend’s home.
Dunbar’s remains were soon discovered, leading to Ware’s arrest and subsequent life sentence.