On Tuesday, Sophia Mason, 8, was reported missing in California.
On Thursday, her deceased body was found in Dhante Jackson’s residence in Central Valley. Jackson is the boyfriend of the girl’s mother.
After family members became concerned, officers went to the home, in Merced, twice, looking for the child and her mom, Samantha Johnson, 30. However, no one ever came to the door.
On Thursday, Johnson was apprehended. Afterwards, police received details that indicated that Sophia may have been in Jackson’s home. When authorities went back, Sophia’s body was found.
Johnson was placed in jail on obstruction of an officer’s investigation and corporal injury to a child. She also faces murder charges.
In 2021, Johnson was being investigated for child abuse and still had a warrant from that matter.
Authorities are currently searching for Jackson, 34, whom a warrant has been issued for.
A medical examiner will determine how the girl died.
