Video captured repeated violence before the bloodied toddler was returned to his mother
WASHINGTON, DC – A 27-year-old man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the beating death of 2-year-old Mars Jones, admitting to a 2022 attack that prosecutors say was captured across multiple surveillance videos before the unconscious and bloodied child was returned to his mother.
Dasean Matthews entered the guilty plea in connection with Mars’ death in October 2022, according to federal prosecutors in DC.
Matthews remains in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 1, 2027.
Surveillance video captured repeated attacks
Prosecutors said the violence unfolded on Oct. 13, 2022, beginning before noon when Matthews, Mars and the boy’s mother, Monet Jones, traveled to a Dunkin Donuts.
Jones was dating Matthews at the time.
Surveillance footage from inside the Dunkin Donuts showed Matthews striking the 2-year-old in the upper body with a closed fist, causing the child to fall into a metal railing, according to prosecutors.
Additional video from a parking garage later that day showed Matthews grabbing Mars by his clothing near the neck and swinging him by his clothing.
Minutes later, Matthews struck the child in the upper body or face, knocking him to the floor again, prosecutors said.
Vehicle shook from force of blows
The violence continued while Matthews was alone with Mars inside a vehicle, according to evidence cited by prosecutors.
Video showed Matthews repeatedly striking the toddler with enough force that the vehicle visibly shook from the blows.
Matthews later brought the unconscious and bloodied child to his mother and fled, prosecutors said.
An autopsy determined Mars died from complications of inflicted head trauma.
Matthews was arrested Nov. 4, 2022, and has remained in custody.
Guilty plea comes nearly four years after killing
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro called the killing a senseless crime and said the conviction reflected prosecutors’ commitment to pursuing violent crimes against children.
Matthews pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder.
His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2027.
Key Points
- Dasean Matthews, 27, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the October 2022 beating death of 2-year-old Mars Jones.
- Prosecutors said surveillance footage captured Matthews repeatedly striking the toddler at several locations, including inside a vehicle that shook from the force of the blows.
- Matthews remains in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 1, 2027.
