A disposition hearing is scheduled to be held this week for a Lincoln man who has been charged with murder and other felonies in Benton County last year.

Ethan Joel Mast is one of four defendants facing charges in connection with the death of a 4-year-old Benton County girl in December.

According to the original press release, on December 20, Benton County authorities were called to a residence in reference to a 4-year-old female who was deceased. Jessica Mast allegedly had been beaten, submerged in a pond, then left to freeze on the bank before being taken back into the residence where she died.

According to court documents, Ethan Mast and 21-year-old Kourtney Aumen are facing felony charges for murder in the second degree; three counts of assault in the first degree- serious physical injury; and sexual abuse in the first degree.

Others charged with felonies in the same case are the father of the child, James Mast and Mary Mast, the girl’s mother.

Ethan Mast’s court proceeding is scheduled to be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 19, at Benton County Circuit Court.

Aumen is due for a preliminary hearing on October 29. James and Mary Mast are due in court in December.