An Oklahoma man sentenced to life in prison for killing his 5-year-old daughter by setting her on fire did so because he thought she was being controlled.
Adam Raymond Mason, 34, was sentenced to life in prison Friday in the August 2020 murder of his daughter. Court records show that Mason first assaulted the child by punching her in the face several times. He then took her to a creek, placed a tire over her, and set her on fire.
"What Mason did to this 5-year-old little girl was inhumane. There will be no first dances for her. She will not have the opportunity to attend college or become a mother herself," said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. "This was a hard-fought case for prosecutors and law enforcement. Life imprisonment shows the seriousness of this crime and ensures public safety."
Police were dispatched to check on the well-being of the girl after she stayed the night with her father, Mason. The girl's mother called police after Mason refused to let her speak to the girl.
Upon arrival, deputies located the burned body of a child, which they believed to be the 5-year-old.
"The suffering this innocent child endured at the hands of her own father is completely incomprehensible. The defendant deserves every second of the sentence imposed, and more," said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater. "The FBI and our law enforcement partners will use every tool and authority to pursue this kind of evil in our community. I commend the efforts of the investigators and prosecutors who handled this case with unwavering dedication. Our thoughts remain with all who loved this child."
After finding the girl's body, police searched the area and located Mason hiding in the woods. He was taken into custody. Prosecutors said that Mason told authorities he believed the 5-year-old was being controlled by witchcraft.
The Kansas City Star reported that Mason's attorney told McClatchy News that he was addicted to methamphetamine at the time of the slaying. According to the newspaper, the attorney said that Mason "acted in the midst of a methamphetamine hallucination" but "accepts responsibility for his acts and expresses remorse for his terrible actions."
