The parents of a 4-year-old Missouri girl, allegedly killed by neighbors during a brutal “demon” exorcism, are now facing felony child endangerment charges. Mary S. Mast, 29, and James A. Mast, 28, of Lincoln, Missouri, were taken into custody and are being held without bond in Benton County Jail. The couple’s two other children, a 2-year-old son and an infant, have been placed in protective custody. This tragic case unfolds in a rural community just 100 miles southeast of Kansas City, leaving investigators and the public grappling with the horrific details.
A Gruesome Discovery and Initial Arrests
Benton County Sheriff Eric Knox announced the charges against the parents on Thursday, following the discovery of their daughter’s lifeless body at their home on December 20th. The young girl bore the marks of a severe beating and showed signs of having been submerged in a frigid pond. Sheriff Knox described the incident as a “religious-type episode.” Prior to the parents’ arrest, neighbors Ethan Mast, 35, and Kourtney Aumen, 21, were charged with second-degree murder and other offenses related to the girl’s death. They too are being held without bond. Sheriff Knox has stated that Ethan Mast is not believed to be related to James and Mary Mast.
(L) Ethan Mast/(R) Kourtney Aumen (Benton County Sheriff’s Office)
A Community in Shock and a Church Distancing Itself
Both families involved in this disturbing case reportedly attend the same church. However, Sheriff Knox has emphasized that the church does not condone the actions that led to the child’s death and has stressed that this appears to be an isolated incident. He has explicitly stated in a news release on the department’s Facebook page that the investigation indicates “this is NOT the actions of a cult.” The name of the church has not been released.
Unraveling the Horrific Details: The Investigation
The details of the case, as revealed in a probable cause statement from Benton County Sgt. Chris Wilson, are chilling. The 4-year-old girl was already deceased when Sgt. Wilson arrived at the scene, her body covered in “severe purple bruising” and ruptured blisters. The 2-year-old son also exhibited signs of having been beaten, while the infant was thankfully unharmed.
James Mast, the girl’s father, recounted to investigators that he and his wife witnessed the brutal beating of their daughter but were warned against intervening. They were threatened with violence if they attempted to stop the assault. When questioned about his inaction, James Mast explained that they were told his wife had a “demon” inside her and their children would suffer the same fate if it wasn’t addressed.
A Timeline of Terror: The Alleged Exorcism
According to Ethan Mast’s statement to investigators, he and Aumen used a leather belt to beat the young girl on December 19th. Following the beating, they took the child to a pond behind the house and submerged her in the icy water. The high temperature that day was only in the 40s. Afterward, they all returned to the victims’ home. The exact time of the child’s death remains unclear.
Legal Proceedings and the Search for Justice
The parents are currently facing charges of felony child endangerment resulting in death. Both Ethan Mast and Kourtney Aumen face second-degree murder charges. All four individuals are being held without bond as the investigation continues. The legal process will now unfold, aiming to bring those responsible for this horrific crime to justice.
The Aftermath and the Unanswered Questions
This tragic case raises numerous questions about the circumstances that allowed such a horrific act to occur. The community of Benton County is left grappling with the aftermath, seeking answers and struggling to comprehend the brutality inflicted upon an innocent child. As the legal proceedings progress, the hope is that a clearer understanding of the events will emerge and justice will be served.
A Call for Vigilance and Community Support
The tragic death of this young girl underscores the importance of community vigilance and support for families in crisis. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for awareness and intervention when children are at risk. As this case continues to unfold, the community must come together to offer support and resources to those affected and work towards preventing such tragedies from happening again.
