Young Girl Brutally Murdered in Father’s Bathtub with 50 Wounds—Dad and Stepmom Convicted in Shocking Case
Photo: GoFundMe/Gadsden Police Department/
The father and stepmother of a 3-year-old Alabama girl have both pleaded guilty to charges related to her violent death in 2021. The heartbreaking case centers around young Aydah DiMaso, who was found dead with over 50 signs of trauma in her father’s bathtub.
In October 2021, family members called the police to perform a welfare check on Aydah, which led to the devastating discovery. Authorities quickly determined that the child had endured severe abuse, with fresh and old bruises covering her body. Local news outlets WSAZ have since reported on the disturbing details surrounding her death.
According to Etowah District Attorney Jody Willoughby, Aydah’s stepmother, Haley Dee Metz, recently entered a blind guilty plea to aggravated child abuse. A blind plea means that while Metz, 33, has admitted guilt, no agreement has been made on the length of her sentence. Her sentencing will be determined by a judge in November.
This development follows the earlier guilty plea of Aydah’s father, Nikolas Joseph DiMaso, who pleaded guilty to charges of capital murder and conspiracy to commit child abuse in June. DiMaso, 25, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Details of the abuse Aydah endured have shocked the community. According to The Gadsden Times, DiMaso admitted to violently assaulting his daughter, including slamming her on the ground and kicking her in the stomach. The extent of the physical abuse, along with her tragic death, left Aydah’s family heartbroken.
In the wake of Aydah’s death, her family launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to cover memorial costs, describing the situation as “unthinkable.” The fundraiser post also highlighted the deep bond Aydah shared with her grandparents, who had been fighting for custody of the child before her tragic death. “Aydah was a sweet soul with an infectious giggle, loved deeply by her Grandparents who had been fighting for custody of her.
The system let her down, and so sadly, this tragedy was utterly preventable,” the post read. In addition to the criminal cases, Aydah’s family has filed a lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), alleging that the agency’s failures directly contributed to the child’s death.
According to WBRC the family’s attorney, Tommy James, has been outspoken about the case, stating, “This case represents an egregious failure of the system that is supposed to protect our most vulnerable children.” He added, “Aydah’s death could and should have been prevented. We are seeking justice for Aydah and accountability for those whose conduct resulted in her tragic death.”
The Alabama DHR has declined to comment on the case or the lawsuit filed by Aydah’s family. Speaking on the horrific nature of the case, attorney Tommy James told WBRC last year, “What this child suffered from is just horrific. You can’t even imagine.” As the legal proceedings continue, the community remains united in seeking justice for Aydah, remembering the innocent life that was tragically cut short.
