Charges have been upgraded for the four adults charged in connection with the beating death of a 4-year-old Benton County girl in December.

A report from the Benton County Sheriff’s Department says when the deputy arrived at the Mast home in the early morning hours of December 20, in reference to a 4-year-old female who was deceased, the girls father told authorities that his daughter, Jessica Mast had been beaten, submerged in a pond, then left to freeze on the bank before being taken back into the residence. The girl’s mother, Mary Mast and a 2-year-old male child had also reportedly been beaten to a severe extent.

The father of the child, 28-year-old James Mast was originally charged with two felony counts of endangering the welfare of a child. As of Wednesday, his charges have been upgraded to first-degree murder, first degree assault, and armed criminal action.

The mother of the girl, 29-year-old Mary Mast, was originally facing a felony for endangering the welfare of a child, as well as a felony for domestic assault. She is now facing charges for first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, and first degree assault.

James Mast’s next court appearance is scheduled to be held at 8 a.m. Tuesday, April 27 at Benton County Circuit Court.

Mary Mast’s next court appearance is scheduled to be held at 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 11, at Benton County Circuit Court.

The neighbors, 36-year-old Ethan Mast and 21-year-old Kourtney Aumen, were originally charged with with murder in the first degree, three counts of assault in the first degree, and a felony for sexual abuse in the first Degree. Their charges have been upgraded to first degree murder, first degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action.

Ethan Mast waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty on April 21. His case has been bound over to the trial division of Benton County Circuit Court for arraignment at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 1.

Aumen also waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty to the amended charges on Wednesday, April 21. A Preliminary Hearing in her case is scheduled to for 10 a.m. Monday, August 30.