Charges upgraded against pair accused in Benton County child’s death
WARSAW, Mo. (KMIZ)
Prosecutors in Benton County upgraded charges against the four people accused of helping kill a child.
Kourtney Aumen and Ethan Mast now face a charge of first-degree murder in the death of 4-year-old Jessica Mast. Prosecutors on Wednesday changed the charge from second-degree murder. Both also faces two counts of armed criminal action and one count of first-degree assault.
Prosecutors also added first-degree murder charges late Wednesday against Jessica Mast's parents, James and Mary Mast. Both face additional charges of armed criminal action and first-degree assault.
The four are accused of abusing Jessica Mast and another child in James and Mary's home in November and December 2020. The Benton County Sheriff's Office claims Jessica died in December after Mary and Jessica were made to stand in a pond behind their home. Law enforcement claims the abuse took place to rid Jessica Mast of a "demon."
The new charging documents filed by prosecutors said Aumen and the Masts caused Jessica's death "by beating her and having her stand nude in a cold pond." Court filings show prosecutors shared with the defense team the findings of an autopsy on Jessica Mast, but did not say what the office said the cause and manner of death were.
Lacon Smith, attorney for Ethan Mast, said she was prepared for prosecutors to change the charges.
"We look forward to addressing these charges in a respectful manner," Smith said.
Prosecutors also dropped a sexual abuse charge against Aumen and Ethan Mast. Law enforcement originally suspected the couple forced James Mast to use a sex toy on Mary Mast.
Judge Mark Pilley set a preliminary hearing for Aumen on August 30. Both sides will argue over whether there is enough probable cause against Aumen to proceed to trial. Smith waived a preliminary hearing for him on Thursday. He will appear in circuit court on June 1.
James Mast is set to appear in court on April 27. The next hearing for Mary Mast is scheduled for May 11.
