Man Accused of Killing 4 Year Old Girl As Part Of A Religious Act Pleads Guilty To Charges

A Missouri man accused of participating in the death of a 4 year old girl, in what authorities call a religious act, has plead guilty to second degree murder.

On Tuesday Ethan Mast,36 plead guilty to his role in the 2020 murder of Jessica Mast,4.

Ethan along with three others were arrested after Jessica was found dead at her parents home.

She had been severely beaten with a belt and then dunked in an icy pond as part of a religious act.

Authorities said another girl was also found beaten inside the home along with her parents. The infants in the residence were unharmed.

James Mast, Mary Mast and Kourtney Aumen were also arrested with Ethan and charged with first degree murder.

Aumen’s charge was later amended to second degree murder.