Benton County, Missouri — A Missouri woman has pleaded guilty to charges connected to the December 2020 death of 4-year-old Jessica Joy Mast, admitting her role in an incident that authorities said involved repeated beatings and forcing the child into a freezing pond.
Kourtney Taylor Aumen, 27, pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree murder and first-degree assault in connection with Jessica’s death. She had previously faced more serious charges, including first-degree murder, armed criminal action, child abuse and child endangerment.
Aumen is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 21.
Deputy Found 4-Year-Old Dead Inside Home
The investigation began after a Benton County deputy responded to a residence following a report of a possible domestic disturbance.
Inside the home, the deputy was taken upstairs, where Jessica was found lying on the floor near bunk beds. Authorities said the child was wrapped in a pink blanket and was already dead when law enforcement arrived.
Investigators reported that Jessica’s body showed multiple injuries, including open wounds associated with ruptured blisters and bruising that appeared consistent with belt marks.
Authorities later determined that the injuries involved more than physical beatings.
Child Was Repeatedly Dunked in Cold Pond
Investigators said Jessica had also been repeatedly forced into a pond on the neighboring property. The weather that day was around 40 degrees, according to law enforcement.
When the child was discovered, authorities reported that there was vomit near her body and that her hair, which had been pulled into a ponytail, was still wet from the pond.
The combination of the cold exposure and physical injuries became a central part of the investigation into what happened to the young girl.
According to investigators, Aumen and Ethan Mast were accused of beating Jessica and other members of the family during the incident.
Parents Allegedly Forced to Watch
Jessica’s father, James Mast, told investigators that Aumen and Ethan Mast were responsible for the injuries suffered by Jessica and other family members. A 2-year-old boy and Jessica’s mother, Mary Mast, were also reportedly harmed during the incident.
James Mast told authorities that he and Jessica’s mother were forced to comply and watch as the children were beaten. He also said the pair were threatened with additional violence if they attempted to intervene.
The father reportedly told investigators that they were told Jessica’s mother had a “demon” inside her, and that the children would become like her if the situation was not addressed.
Benton County Sheriff Eric Knox later described the incident to local media as “a religious-type episode.”
Other Defendants Also Took Plea Deals
Aumen was not the only person charged in connection with the case.
Ethan Mast, who investigators said was not related to Jessica, also faced charges and ultimately pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.
Jessica’s father, James Mast, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree assault, while Jessica’s mother, Mary Mast, pleaded guilty to child endangerment.
The separate plea agreements brought criminal proceedings against the other defendants to resolutions before Aumen’s case reached its latest development.
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Aumen Changes Plea Before Scheduled Trial
Aumen’s case had been heading toward trial, with proceedings previously scheduled to begin Oct. 26.
That changed this week when the online court docket showed that a change-of-plea hearing had taken place, resulting in Aumen’s guilty pleas to the two charges. The guilty plea means the case will now move toward sentencing rather than a trial on the allegations.
Aumen remains scheduled to appear for sentencing on Dec. 21, where the court will determine the punishment associated with her convictions.
The case has drawn renewed attention because of the young age of the victim and the circumstances surrounding Jessica’s death, which investigators said involved multiple forms of alleged abuse.
What are your thoughts on the latest development in this Missouri case? Share your reaction in the comments as Jessica Mast’s family and community continue to seek accountability for her death.
