Father of 4-year-old girl who died in 2020 in Benton County, Missouri, accepts plea deal

BENTON COUNTY, Mo. (KY3) – The father of a four-year-old Benton County girl who died in 2020 has agreed to a plea deal offered by prosecutors.

James Mast pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder and first-degree assault, according to court officials. If Mast cooperates fully and does not waive the terms of the plea agreement, his six remaining charges will be dismissed.

Mast was originally charged with first-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action, child abuse or neglect, first-degree assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

According to court officials, while a sentencing hearing – has not been scheduled – prosecutors will propose that Mastu serve “no more than life in prison” concurrently in both cases.

Mast will not be sentenced until the case of co-defendant Kourtney Aumen is resolved. The four people charged in the case are Mary Mast and James Mast, Kourtney Aumen and Ethan Mast (no relation).

On December 19, 2020, Masta’s four-year-old daughter drowned after being submerged in an icy pond and beaten to death in an attempt to remove a “demon”.

Benton County officers responded at 1 a.m. Dec. 20 to a rural home near Cole Camp and found the 4-year-old wrapped in a blanket on the bedroom floor.

Investigators said the girl was already dead and had “severe purple bruising” along with burst blisters on her body. Sheriff Eric Knox said the girl’s parents and their 2-year-old child were also beaten. Apparently, nothing happened to the couple’s little son.

The statement said Ethan Mast told investigators that he and Aumen used a leather belt to beat the girl. She was then taken to a pond behind the house, where she was “immersed” in the water on a day with high temperatures of over 40 degrees.

Ethan Mast said they all then returned to the victims’ home. It was unclear when the child died. The cause of death will be determined by an autopsy. Knox said evidence showed she was beaten to death.

In January 2023, Mary Mast pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. In February 2022, Ethan Mast pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Kourtney Aumen is currently in custody on a mental health order.

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