TL;DR: Monet Jones, 28, of Washington, D.C., has pleaded guilty to perjury and tampering with evidence for lying to a grand jury about the beating death of her 2-year-old son, Mars. Federal prosecutors say surveillance video showed her partner, Dasean Matthews, repeatedly striking the toddler on October 13, 2022, while Jones later denied witnessing the assaults and deleted messages between them. Her sentencing is set for February 1, 2027.
A Washington, D.C. mother has admitted she lied under oath about the death of her toddler son. Monet Jones, 28, pleaded guilty Friday to perjury and tampering with evidence in connection with the grand jury investigation into the 2022 beating death of 2-year-old Mars Jones, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced.
Jones entered her plea before D.C. Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt. A sentencing date has been scheduled for February 1, 2027. Her co-defendant, Dasean Matthews — Jones’ romantic partner — still faces charges in the case.
The Evidence Against Matthews
According to the government’s evidence, on October 13, 2022, 2-year-old Mars, Jones, and Matthews drove to a Dunkin Donuts just before noon. Surveillance video from the restaurant showed Matthews striking the toddler with a closed fist in the upper body, causing the child to fall and slam against a metal railing.
Later that day, in a parking garage, video showed Matthews grabbing the child by the neck of his clothing, swinging him by the clothing, and minutes later striking him in the upper body or face, knocking the child to the floor again. Still later, while alone in a vehicle with the toddler, Matthews was shown repeatedly striking the child with such force that the vehicle shook from the impact. Immediately afterward, Matthews delivered the unconscious and bloody child to Jones and fled the scene. An autopsy determined the child died from complications of inflicted head trauma.
How Jones Obstructed the Investigation
Throughout the investigation, Jones repeatedly lied to law enforcement and the grand jury about witnessing Matthews assault her child or about being in the Dunkin Donuts on October 13, 2022, in an attempt to hinder the investigation. She also deleted messages between herself and Matthews from her phone in an effort to protect him, prosecutors said.
Jones’ perjury plea covers one count of lying to the grand jury; she also pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with evidence for deleting the messages.
“Two-year-old Mars deserved a mother who would fight for justice, not protect the man who beat her child to death,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said in a statement. “Instead, she misled investigators and deleted evidence to shield him from accountability. If you obstruct justice to protect someone who kills a child, you will answer for it. No exceptions.”
The case was investigated by the Special Victims Unit of the Homicide Section at the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emma McArthur and Shauna Payyappilly.
What Happens Next
Jones will be sentenced on February 1, 2027. Her co-defendant Dasean Matthews, who is accused of inflicting the fatal beating, has not yet gone to trial. Perjury before a grand jury and evidence tampering carry significant potential prison time under D.C. law, with the exact sentence to be determined by the court at the sentencing hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Monet Jones?
Monet Jones, 28, is a Washington, D.C. resident who pleaded guilty on October 16, 2026, to perjury and tampering with evidence for lying to a grand jury investigating the 2022 beating death of her 2-year-old son, Mars Jones.
What did she lie about?
Prosecutors said Jones repeatedly lied to law enforcement and the grand jury about witnessing Dasean Matthews assault her child or about being present at the Dunkin Donuts on October 13, 2022. She also deleted messages between herself and Matthews from her phone.
Who is Dasean Matthews?
Dasean Matthews was Jones’ romantic partner and is Jones’ co-defendant. Video evidence showed him repeatedly striking the 2-year-old on October 13, 2022. He is accused in the child’s death and has not yet been tried.
What did the video evidence show?
Surveillance video showed Matthews striking the toddler with a closed fist at a Dunkin Donuts, grabbing him by his clothing and swinging him in a parking garage, and later repeatedly striking him in a vehicle with force that visibly shook the car. An autopsy found the child died from complications of inflicted head trauma.
When will Monet Jones be sentenced?
Sentencing is scheduled for February 1, 2027, in D.C. Superior Court.
Is she charged with the murder itself?
No. Jones pleaded guilty to perjury and tampering with evidence. The homicide charges involve Matthews as the accused assailant.
Who prosecuted the case?
The Metropolitan Police Department’s Special Victims Unit of the Homicide Section investigated, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emma McArthur and Shauna Payyappilly prosecuted.
