EXCLUSIVE: Charges dropped for man accused of 8-year-old Sophia Mason's murder

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- For the past 3 years, Dhante Jackson has been facing execution and kid maltreatment charges for the decease of 8-year-old Sophia Mason, on with the girl's mother, Samantha Johnson.

On Monday, Jackson walked escaped aft the territory lawyer dropped the execution and kid maltreatment charges against him.

"The radical nary longer judge that you tin beryllium the lawsuit beyond a tenable uncertainty is that correct?" Judge Steven Slocum asked the Merced DA, Nicole Silveira.

"Yes," she said.

Jackson and Johnson had been surviving unneurotic erstwhile Sophia was reported missing successful February of 2022.

In mid-March that year, Sophia's decomposed assemblage was found successful a bathtub astatine his Merced home.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Child recovered dormant wrong Merced location is missing 8-year-old Sophia Mason, authorities say

"The suspect utilized integrative and portion to seal a bath successful his ain location thereby covering up the decease of a 7-year-old girl. I find this to beryllium peculiarly callous behavior," Judge Slocum said. "The defendants utilized respective incense sticks to screen up the odor of Sophia's decomposing assemblage and it seems that behaviour continued for weeks."

The DA added an accessory to execution charge, which Jackson pleaded blameworthy to.

"The accessory complaint was not calling the constabulary and turning her in, but arsenic I told you and arsenic Mr. Jackson told you, helium was acrophobic that helium was going to beryllium arrested for a execution helium didn't commit," Jackson's attorney, Todd Melnik stated.

The justice sentenced him to 3 years.

"The suspect did not attraction capable for Sophia oregon her household to notify authorities and fto her remains beryllium laid to rest," Judge Slocum said.

After serving those 3 years, Jackson is present released.

The girl's mother, Samantha Johnson, is expected to beryllium successful tribunal aboriginal adjacent month.

She antecedently plead not blameworthy to execution and kid maltreatment charges.

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