A Benton County woman charged in connection with the death of a child has two court proceedings scheduled this week.

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

Kourtney Aumen, who is facing felony charges of first-degree murder, abuse or neglect of a child- no sexual contact and two counts of armed criminal action, pleaded not guilty on April 21. A motion hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 26. Aumen, of Lincoln, also is scheduled to appear for her preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. Friday, October 29, at Benton County Circuit Court. Aumen continues to be held in custody without bond.

Three others- Ethan Mast, James Mast and Mary Shirk Mast, the girl’s mother- also are facing felony charges and are due in court at later dates.