Two of four defendants facing charges in connection to the death of a four-year-old Benton County girl in December appeared in court and entered a plea to amended charges on Wednesday, April 21.

During the early morning hours of December 20, Benton County authorities were called to a residence in reference to a 4-year-old female 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. The girl’s mother, Mary Mast and a 2-year-old male child had also reportedly been beaten to a severe extent.

According to online court documents charges have been amended for 36-year-old Ethan Joel Mast and 21-year-old Kourtney Aumen, who were the first to be charged. Both defendants are now facing a Class A Felonies for Murder in the First Degree and Assault in the First Degree or Attempt-Serious Physical Injury or Special Victim and two unclassified felonies for Armed Criminal Action. Each of these defendants continue to be held without bond.

Ethan Mast waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty on April 21 to all charges. 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 as charged on April 21. A Preliminary Hearing in her case is scheduled to for 10 a.m. Monday, August 30.

The father of the child, 28-year-old James Mast is charged with Class A and Class B Felonies for Endangering the Welfare of a Child- No Sexual Contact; and 29-year-old Mary Mast, the girl’s mother, is charged with a Class A Felony for Endangering the Welfare of a Child- No Sexual Contact and a Class A Felony for Domestic Assault in the First Degree- Serious Physical Injury. Both James and Mary Mast are currently out on bond.

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.