A hearing is scheduled to be held this week for a Lincoln woman who has been charged with murder and other felonies in Benton County a little more than a year ago.

Kourtney Aumen is one of four defendants facing charges in connection with the death of a 4-year-old Benton County girl.

On December 20, Benton County authorities were called to a residence in reference to a female child who was deceased. Jessica Mast had allegedly 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 Aumen, who were the first to be charged, 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.

Aumen is scheduled to be arraigned at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 8, at Benton County Circuit Court.

James and Mary Mast are scheduled for their preliminary hearings on December 22; and Ethan Mast is due for a plea hearing on January 4, at Benton County Circuit Court.