UPDATE: The parents of a 4-year old girl that was murdered on December 20, 2020 have plead not guilty in charges relating to her death.
Benton County Dispatch was notified just before 1 a.m. on December 20 in regards to a 4-year-old female who was deceased. The father, 28-year-old James Mast, of a rural Cole Camp residence, stated that his daughter had been beaten, submerged in a pond, then left to freeze on the bank before being taken back into the residence. The mother of the deceased, 29-year-old Mary S. Mast, and a 2-year-old male child also were beaten to a severe extent. Mary and the toddler were transported by ambulance to Bothwell Regional Hospital in Sedalia for treatment.
After an investigation by Benton County Deputies, 35-year-old Ethan Joel Mast and 21-year-old Kourtney Aumen, both of Lincoln, were taken into custody and charged with the murder of 4-year-old Jessica Mast.
Each of those defendants pleaded not guilty to a Class A Felony for Murder in the Second Degree; three counts of a Class A Felony for Assault in the First Degree- Serious Physical Injury; and a Class C Felony for Sexual Abuse in the First Degree during their initial appearance in court on December 21. Each defendant is due for another hearing at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at Benton County Circuit Court.
James A. and Mary S. Mast, the parents, were arrested on Thursday, December 24. They have been formally charged with felonies, as well.
Court documents say James Mast is charged with Class A and Class B Felonies for Endangering the Welfare of a Child- No Sexual Contact; and Mary Mast is charged with a Class A Felony for Endangering the Welfare of a Child- No Sexual Contact and a Class A Felony for Domestic Assault in the First Degree- Serious Physical Injury. Both are being held without bond.
Both James and Mary Mast entered a plea of not guilty to all charges during their arraignment on December 28. A hearing for both defendants is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Benton County Circuit Court.
The court denied requests from both parents to attend their daughter’s funeral.
The Mast’s 2-year-old son and infant son have been placed in protective custody.