Sophia Mason’s mother sentenced to more than 15 years in prison

Plea deal reached in death of 8-year-old Sophia Mason in Merced

A plea deal has been reached in the case of the death of a Merced County girl four years ago.

Sophia Mason’s mother sentenced to more than 15 years in prison

The mother of Sophia Mason, the 8-year-old found dead at a home in Merced County, was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison Thursday in connection with her daughter’s death, according to the Merced County District Attorney’s Office. According to the DA, Samantha Johnson of Hayward was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in state prison. Johnson had entered a plea to voluntary manslaughter, two counts of child abuse and two enhancements fo…

Mother of Sophia Mason, 8, won't face murder charge, in case that shook Merced community

Reading Time: 5 minutes A journey without justice. That’s how one member of 8-year-old Sophia Mason’s family described the last four years following the discovery of the child’s decomposing body in a north Merced home.  On Thursday, the defendant in the death of Sophia, her mother Samantha Johnson, entered into a plea agreement that one day will result in her release from state prison.  Wearing a yellow jailhouse jumpsuit, Johnson, 34, clutched …