News Summary
Jonas Jerry Washington Jr. has been charged with the murder of Sophia Van Dam and the kidnapping of her 2-year-old son, Matteo, following their disappearance. The case has drawn significant attention during a two-year investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Washington is expected to make his court appearance soon, and the investigation remains open as authorities seek to locate the missing mother and son, who vanished after returning from a trip.
Sumter, SC – Jonas Jerry Washington Jr., 26, has been charged with the murder of Sophia Van Dam and the kidnapping of her 2-year-old son, Matteo, following a two-year investigation into their disappearance. Washington is expected to make his initial court appearance on June 24, 2023, marking the anniversary of the last contact with the mother and child.
Sophia and Matteo have been missing since they returned home to Sumter, SC, from a visit to Beaufort. Their family reported them missing on June 28, 2023, after losing contact and seeking police help. Upon investigation, officers found Sophia’s vehicle parked at their Sumter residence but found no signs of either the mother or son.
Prior to the murder and kidnapping charges, Washington was extradited from Georgia, where he was serving a five-year sentence for a first-degree burglary from 2020 and an additional concurrent ten-year sentence for armed robbery stemming from a 2021 case in Beaufort County. He has a known violent criminal history, including an assault on Sophia less than a year before she and her son went missing.
The murder charge against Washington stems from evidence gathered at the Sumter residence, and the kidnapping charge specifically pertains to Matteo. Washington’s criminal record, which details past violence, has raised serious concerns during the investigation. Washington was initially apprehended for unrelated charges involving flight from police and possession of firearms on June 30, 2023, just two days after Sophia and Matteo were reported missing.
The investigation has seen collaboration among multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. Despite extensive efforts, authorities have yet to locate the bodies of Sophia or Matteo Van Dam.
Washington had been out on bond for prior robbery charges and was under house arrest at the time of Sophia and Matteo’s disappearance, intensifying scrutiny on his activities leading up to and following their vanishing. In May 2023, a grand jury convened and indicted Washington on charges of murder and kidnapping after a thorough evaluation of evidence presented by the prosecution.
Authorities continue to encourage the public to report any tips or information regarding the case to the Sumter Police Department, Crime Stoppers, or SLED. The investigation remains open as law enforcement seeks to provide closure for the family and ascertain the whereabouts of Sophia and Matteo Van Dam.
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: South Carolina Mother and Son Missing
- Wikipedia: Missing Person
- WJCL: Sumter Man Arrested in Missing Mother and Son Case
- Google Search: Missing Persons South Carolina
- WACH: Arrest Made in Missing Sumter Mother and Son Case
- Google Scholar: Missing Persons Investigation
- Island Packet: Beaufort News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Missing Persons Laws
- MSN: Arrest Made in Murder and Kidnapping Case
- Google News: Missing Mother and Child South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
