During the early morning hours of December 20, 2020, the Benton County Sheriff’s Department was called to a residence in regards to an unresponsive 4-year-old girl.

When authorities arrived the girl’s father, James Mast told authorities that his daughter, Jessica had been beaten, submerged in a pond, then left to freeze on the bank before being taken back into the residence, where she later died. The girl’s mother and a 2-year-old male child had also reportedly been beaten to a severe extent.

The mother of the girl, 29-year-old Mary Mast waived formal arraignment on June 1 and pleaded not guilty to felonies for first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, and first degree assault. Her next court appearance is scheduled for 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 15 at Benton County Circuit Court.

The father of the child, 28-year-old James Mast is charged with first-degree murder, first degree assault, and armed criminal action. James Mast remains out on bond after the Court denied a request from the State, to revoke his bond and hold him without bond until his trial. Preliminary Hearing in his case is scheduled for 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 22.

And, 21-year-old Kourtney Aumen, is now facing felony charges of first degree murder, first degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action. Aumen also waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty April 21. A Preliminary Hearing in her case is scheduled to for 10 a.m. Monday, August 30.

Ethan Mast, a neighbor, and one of the first persons to be charged in connection to the girl’s death, waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty on June 1 to felony charges of first degree murder, first degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action. A plea or trial setting in his case is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 19 at Benton County Circuit Court.