Authorities said three women helped an accused child killer evade police. NEWARK, Calif. - Three women are accused of helping the alleged killer of 8-year-old Sophia Mason evade police for six months.Lieutenant Joe Perez with the Merced Police Department said the alleged killer, Dhante Jackson, 34, was able to avoid capture for so long with the women's help.Authorities said 33-year-old Mayra Gutierrez Gonzalez, of Newark; 42-year-old Laronna Larkins, of Merced; and 40-year-old Daberka Thompson, of San Jose; provided Jackson with transportation, shelter, and money while he was on the run.Dhante Jackson is accused of killing 8-year-old Sophia Mason.
Police said Jackson was living with Gonzalez at the time of his arrest on Saturday in Newark.All the women have been arrested for accessory to murder after the fact.Relatives of Sophia Mason and her mother Samantha Johnson, 30, said more information will likely be revealed as to why the women were helping Jackson.
Johnson is already behind bars in connection with her daughter's killing. Her family said she is cognitively impaired.Police described her as Jackson’s girlfriend, but her family questions that label."For her to say that was her boyfriend, again this is coming from Samantha and her mental capacity is that of someone who is like eight, nine, or 10-years-old," said Melanie Verlatti, Johnson's cousin.