BENTON COUNTY, MO — The parents of a 4-year-old Missouri girl allegedly killed by neighbors to remove a “demon” now face charges.
Just after 7p.m. Thursday, deputies arrested Mary S. Mast and James A. Mast, both of Lincoln, Missouri, on requested charges of felony child endangerment resulting in death. Mary is also facing a charge of domestic assault.
They're jailed without bond, according to online jail records. The couple’s other children, a 2-year-old son and an infant, were placed in protective custody.
The 4-year-old girl was found dead at the family home on Dec. 20. Benton County Sheriff Eric Knox says she had been severely beaten and dunked in an icy pond as part of what appeared to be a “religious-type episode.” Two neighbors are charged with second-degree murder.
On the sheriff's office social media page, Knox wrote, "I have received many letters, calls and emails of concern regarding this child’s death and the surrounding circumstances to be the actions of a cult. During interviews with investigators and the media, there have been some references to God and demons. Additional interviews have been held with family members, both local and out of state, as well as others who know the parties involved. None of the actions contained in this case are condoned by the church they attended. The investigation done so far indicates that this is an isolated incident and not the actions of a cult. "