The grandmother of 8-year-old Sophia Mason, whose body was found in a north Merced home in 2022, will receive a $12 million settlement, following allegations Bay Area social workers failed to protect the child.
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors made the announcement earlier this month that Sophia’s grandmother Sylvia Johnson would receive the amount.
The agreement settles a lawsuit Johnson filed against Alameda County, accusing social workers of inaction in the face of repeated concerns voiced by Sophia’s family about her safety.
“Sophia Mason was an 8-year-old girl who deserved protection and a full life. We mourn with her grandmother and extended family for what could have been,” Lena Tam, vice president of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, said in the announcement.
Sophia’s death was one of Merced’s most shocking homicide cases in recent years. Her death made national headlines, and many Merced residents were upset that such a horrific crime against a child could happen in their community.
Her body was discovered curled in a fetal position on March 11, 2022 by Merced police inside the bathroom of a home on Barclay Way.
Merced police had arrived at the home, responding after getting a tip from Hayward police, who had been investigating Sophia’s disappearance. Investigators estimated the child had been dead for about a month.
Earlier this year, Sophia’s biological mother, Samantha Johnson, was sentenced in Merced County Superior Court to 15 years, eight months in prison for her daughter’s death
Dhante Jackson, who was also arrested in the case, was released with time served in October last year after a murder charge was dropped against him.
He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of accessory to murder.
County promises changes after critical report
Amid the settlement announcement, Alameda County leaders also released the results of an independent investigation that outlined “specific deficiencies” in the handling of her case.
Those deficiencies included decisions by staff, supervisory lapses and systemic gaps.
The independent investigation included 25 recommendations for policy and procedural reform.
According to Alameda County, changes that have already been implemented include 1). New protocols for identifying and assessing physical abuse injuries. 2). Expanded use of investigatory search warrants to secure medical exams in suspected abuse cases and 3). New staff training and documentation standards.