SC SC - Sophia Vandam, 20, and Matayo Vandam, 2, Beaufort, 24 Jun 2023 *last seen in Beaufort before driving to Sumter*

[Caring1]

Unknown remains found.

June 2, 2024

Deputies were called to the Santee Cooper-Cross Generating Station around 4 p.m. after someone reported finding skeletal remains, Chief Deputy Jeremy Baker said.

Officials investigating human remains found at Berkeley Co. coal yard

An investigation is underway after human skeletal remains were found at a coal yard in Berkeley County Sunday afternoon.

www.live5news.com

 

[Knox]

Is there any update on Sophia & Matayo?

 

[Knox]

https://amp.islandpacket.com/news/local/community/beaufort-news/article290115374.html

This is the latest update I can find. Surely we would know by now if the remains were related?

 

[PommyMommy]

Unknown remains found.

June 2, 2024

Deputies were called to the Santee Cooper-Cross Generating Station around 4 p.m. after someone reported finding skeletal remains, Chief Deputy Jeremy Baker said.

Officials investigating human remains found at Berkeley Co. coal yard

An investigation is underway after human skeletal remains were found at a coal yard in Berkeley County Sunday afternoon.

www.live5news.com

https://amp.islandpacket.com/news/local/community/beaufort-news/article290115374.html

This is the latest update I can find. Surely we would know by now if the remains were related?

The article was updated to say that the coroner confirmed the remains were that of a man. I can't find any updates either, Knox. MOO

"Hartwell confirmed the remains belonged to a man, and an autopsy was scheduled for June 6."

 

[Knox]

Any updates?

 

[Knox]

 

[Knox]

Still no updates on Sophia & Matteo

 

[StillDiggin]

A former Beaufort County man is in custody and charged in the case of Sophia Van Dam and her 2-year-old son Matteo. Van Dam and Matteo were reported missing in 2023.

Jonas Jerry Washington, 26
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office shared a social media post from the Sumter Police Department saying Jonas Jerry Washington, 26, was taken into custody earlier this week in Georgia. He is being held locally at the Sumter County Detention Center and is charged with murder in the killing of Van Dam and the kidnapping of Matteo.

Washington will appear before a Circuit Court judge for a hearing on Tuesday, June 24 at the Sumter County Judicial Center.

Sophia Van Dam and her son, Matteo
Washington was living with Van Dam in Sumter before she and Matteo were reported missing by family members in Beaufort County.

The investigation is ongoing and the Sum

https://www.wsav.com/news/murder-kidnapping-charges-filed-in-2023-missing-persons-case/

 

[lisette]

A former Beaufort County man is in custody and charged in the case of Sophia Van Dam and her 2-year-old son Matteo. Van Dam and Matteo were reported missing in 2023.

Jonas Jerry Washington, 26
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office shared a social media post from the Sumter Police Department saying Jonas Jerry Washington, 26, was taken into custody earlier this week in Georgia. He is being held locally at the Sumter County Detention Center and is charged with murder in the killing of Van Dam and the kidnapping of Matteo.

Washington will appear before a Circuit Court judge for a hearing on Tuesday, June 24 at the Sumter County Judicial Center.

Sophia Van Dam and her son, Matteo
Washington was living with Van Dam in Sumter before she and Matteo were reported missing by family members in Beaufort County.

The investigation is ongoing and the Sum

https://www.wsav.com/news/murder-kidnapping-charges-filed-in-2023-missing-persons-case/

So many questions… where is Matteo? Did they find Sophia?

 

[Knox]

A former Beaufort County man is in custody and charged in the case of Sophia Van Dam and her 2-year-old son Matteo. Van Dam and Matteo were reported missing in 2023.

Jonas Jerry Washington, 26
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office shared a social media post from the Sumter Police Department saying Jonas Jerry Washington, 26, was taken into custody earlier this week in Georgia. He is being held locally at the Sumter County Detention Center and is charged with murder in the killing of Van Dam and the kidnapping of Matteo.

Washington will appear before a Circuit Court judge for a hearing on Tuesday, June 24 at the Sumter County Judicial Center.

Sophia Van Dam and her son, Matteo
Washington was living with Van Dam in Sumter before she and Matteo were reported missing by family members in Beaufort County.

The investigation is ongoing and the Sum

https://www.wsav.com/news/murder-kidnapping-charges-filed-in-2023-missing-persons-case/

Wow!!! They finally arrested him!!! I wonder why now, after all this time?

 

[GraceG]

I'm finding a Jonas Jerry Washington, age 26 from Beufort charged in 2021(separately) with kidnapping, use of a weapon in the commission of a violent crime, grand larceny and burglary and pled Guilty.

But this person is also listed as currently incarcerated (starting in 2024) which would have been AFTER Sophia went missing. UPDATE: Incarceration record attached. Incarcerated Inmate Search

The State of South Carolina VS Jonas Jerry Washington Jr
Case Number: 2021A0710400102 Court Agency: Beaufort County General Sessions Filed Date: 04/29/2021
Disposition: Pled Guilty
Disposition Date: 03/05/2024 Date Received: 04/29/2021 Arrest Date: 04/29/2021
Name Charge Code - Charge Description Original Charge Code - Original Charge Disposition Date
Washington, Jonas Jerry Jr 0095-Kidnapping / Kidnapping 03/05/2024

The State of South Carolina VS Jonas Jerry Washington Jr
Case No. 2021A0710400103 Court Agency: Beaufort County General Sessions
Filed Date: 04/29/2021
Disposition: Pled Guilty
Disposition Date: 03/05/2024 Date Received: 04/29/2021 Arrest Date: 04/29/2021
Name Charge Code - Charge Description Original Charge Code - Original Charge
Washington, Jonas Jerry Jr 0549-Weapons / Poss. weapon during violent crime, if not also sentenced to life without parole or death

The State of South Carolina VS Jonas Jerry Washington Jr
Case Number: 2021A0710400104 Court Agency: Beaufort County General Sessions
Filed Date: 04/29/2021
Disposition: Pled Guilty
Disposition Date: 03/05/2024 Date Received: 04/29/2021 Arrest Date: 04/29/2021
Name Charge Code - Charge Description Original Charge Code - Original Charge
Washington, Jonas Jerry Jr 0080-Burglary / Burglary (Non-Violent) - Second degree 0079-Burglary / Burglary (After June 20, 1985) - First degree

The State of South Carolina VS Jonas Jerry Washington Jr
Case Number: 2021A0710400105 Court Agency: Beaufort County General Sessions
Filed Date: 04/29/2021
Disposition: Pled Guilty
Disposition Date: 03/05/2024 Date Received: 04/29/2021 Arrest Date: 04/29/2021
Washington, Jonas Jerry Jr 3420-Larceny / Grand Larceny, value more than $2,000 but less than $10,000

Note: In searching judicial records there are a lot of cases for a person with the same name but an older individual. If you query using Jr. in the selection menu not all cases come up. Query his full name WITHOUT Jr. and then select on the cases with Jr. in them which are highlighted above. - gg

https://publicindex.sccourts.org/Beaufort/PublicIndex/PISearch.aspx

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Jonas Washington went before a judge for an arraignment, in which his charges were read aloud to him. Washington is charged with murder in the death of Sophia Van Dam and kidnapping related to her two-year-old son, Matteo.

Washington chose not to enter a plea Tuesday and was assigned a public defender during the hearing

Man charged in Sumter missing persons case does not enter plea at hearing

A man charged in a missing persons case involving a Sumter mother and child appeared in court Tuesday.

www.wistv.com

Jonas Jerry Washington, 26

Murder, kidnapping charges filed in 2023 missing persons case

SUMTER, S.C. (WSAV) — A former Beaufort County man is in custody and charged in the case of Sophia Van Dam and her 2-year-old son Matteo. Van Dam and Matteo were reported missing in 2023. Jon…

www.counton2.com

 

[lisette]

How do they know Sophia is dead, and where is Matteo??

 

[Knox]

Jonas Washington went before a judge for an arraignment, in which his charges were read aloud to him. Washington is charged with murder in the death of Sophia Van Dam and kidnapping related to her two-year-old son, Matteo.

Washington chose not to enter a plea Tuesday and was assigned a public defender during the hearing

Man charged in Sumter missing persons case does not enter plea at hearing

A man charged in a missing persons case involving a Sumter mother and child appeared in court Tuesday.

www.wistv.com

Jonas Jerry Washington, 26

Murder, kidnapping charges filed in 2023 missing persons case

SUMTER, S.C. (WSAV) — A former Beaufort County man is in custody and charged in the case of Sophia Van Dam and her 2-year-old son Matteo. Van Dam and Matteo were reported missing in 2023. Jon…

www.counton2.com

Murder of Sophia, but only a kidnapping charge for Matteo? Anyone find a copy of the AA?

 

[imstilla.grandma]

In the courtroom were law enforcement with Sumter County Sheriff’s Office as well as victim advocates and officers with Sumter Police Department, some sitting and some standing but all creating a wall of comfort around Sophia’s parents, Theresa and Jim Van Dam.

Sophia and Matteo were last seen on June 24, 2023, heading to Sumter from Beaufort, before being reported missing on June 28 by Sophia’s mother, Theresa, according to earlier reports. At the time, Sophia and Matteo shared a home with Washington in Sumter, according to Sumter Police Department.

Before Washington was brought in, McFaddin explained to the courtroom that this was not a trial nor a bond hearing. It was an arraignment, where the prosecution informs the defense of the crimes that the defendant can be indicted for and allowing the defendant to enter a plea if they choose.

Third Circuit Solicitor Chip Finney informed Washington of his charges, alleging that Sophia was killed on June 22, 2023, and explaining that Washington could face life in prison for the murder charge and up to 30 years on the kidnapping charge, if convicted by a jury. Washington did not enter a plea on Tuesday, and the process to assign him a public defender began.

Suspected killer, kidnapper Washington Jr. arraigned 2 years to day Sophia and Matteo Van Dam vanished in 2023 - The Sumter Item

Two years to the day of the disappearance of Sophia and Matteo Van Dam, the suspected killer and kidnapper was arraigned on murder and kidnapping charges before a Sumter County judge. Jonas …

www.theitem.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

“If I can’t talk,” Van Dam said before the hearing, “hopefully my shirt will talk — and I want it in Jonas’ face.”

https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/community/beaufort-news/article309308720.html

 

[imstilla.grandma]

https://www.facebook.com/wachfox/posts/pfbid02CJQevCn68nM7GXtK56deqMXptzA5LcSD4aTMgVvMurdruicxA4QnAmicSkTee71Nl

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[imstilla.grandma]

“We love her and Matteo very much, and we’re waiting to celebrate her birthday in style when she comes home,” said her mother, Theresa Van Dam.

Theresa says Sophia, the youngest of five children, is a leader who loves to take charge of things and likes to make people laugh. She says Matteo is full of energy, fun, into everything and loves to be outside.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crim...er-and-son-family-clings-to-hope/ar- AA1Ha9W7

https://www.facebook.com/theitem/posts/pfbid0DEMoVYWvBcBcMBdtz5VWLpnEieHa283cu1nNqY2f4cwJqx9ZmFfvsJ9QtDKS2iTjl

https://www.facebook.com/beaufort.gazette/posts/pfbid0Vrnyc4wYms7sdXgyumCtuGd7o7YiaFAMFRkwabcGgFFtK9PQodC2tUTVrA58kt2fl

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Washington was arrested by the Sumter Police Department on June 17. He is accused of causing mother Sophia Van Dam "physical harm" that resulted in her death, according to an indictment that 3rd Circuit Solicitor Ernest "Chip" Finney provided to The Post and Courier.

The mother was 20 when she was believed to have died on or about June 22, 2023. Though they don't know the exact date of her death, her digital phone records went dark that day.

"We believe that there was a significant amount of injury causing loss of blood" that led to Van Dam's death, Finney said

The past two years have been "terrible" for the Van Dam family after losing a daughter and a grandchild, Finney told The Post and Courier.
"They are very traumatized," Finney said. "They are having to keep the faith that God is going to get them through this and that justice will be done."

Woman's boyfriend charged with murder, kidnapping 2 years after young mother and toddler last seen

Jonas Jerry Washington Jr., was charged with murder and kidnapping two years after Sophia Van Dam and 2-year-old Matteo Van Dam they went missing.

www.postandcourier.com

https://www.facebook.com/sumterscpolice/posts/pfbid035CgiGvXakTVEikPfrUXNdqarozUaRNaMDzEnqGXAwcsQH5gjaLferGmKWSU3rPtZl

As for Matteo, "We don't have enough strong evidence the young man was killed," said Finney, explaining why Washington was charged with kidnapping in his case. "We can only prove he was taken away from his house without permission."

MSN

“We know she had a great amount of blood from the scene of the house, and we don’t know what caused the injuries,” Finney said.

There also is a “high probability” that Matteo is dead, too, said Finney, but there is only enough evidence to charge Washington with kidnapping.

“We still feel there may be hope we can find their remains,” Finney said.

https://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/community/beaufort-news/article309308720.html