Kaydence Dawita Mills: Man, 40, and woman, 28, charged with murder over Chinchilla girl’s disappearance

A couple have been remanded in custody, charged with the torture, murder and interference with the corpse of a toddler missing since 2016.

Kaydence Dawita Mills would now be five.

A COUPLE have been remanded in custody over the alleged murder and torture of a western Darling Downs toddler who has been missing since 2016.

Sinitta Tammy Dawita, 28, and Tane Saul Desatge, 40, are charged with torturing and murdering Dawita Mills of Chinchilla, and interfering with her corpse.

The charges follow the excavation of a site on the banks of the Condamine River at Chinchilla yesterday.

Sinitta Mills has been charged with the murder and torture of her daughter Kaydence Dawita Mills. Picture Supplied

Police charged the pair this morning and magistrate Tracy Mossop excused the pair’s appearance for the initial mention in Dalby Magistrates Court this afternoon.

The Courier-Mail understands Desatge is not Kaydence’s father, but was in a relationship with Dawita at the time of the alleged offences.

Investigations into Kaydence’s whereabouts began late last year, when family members spoke to a guidance counsellor at the local school because they had not seen her for two years.

The school raised concerns with authorities and the police were called.

In December, the back yard of a Chinchilla home was searched and excavated by detectives and forensic officers, however Kaydence was not located.

A cadaver dog was also used in the search.

A crime scene has been set up at the Chinchilla Weir.

Police at the time would not say what they were looking for, and would only confirm the search involved an ongoing child protection matter.

“Investigators are searching the property and speaking to a number of persons who may be able to assist with the investigation,” a police spokesman said at the time.

Officers from the State Crime Command were involved in the Chinchilla investigation.

Family members have been sharing Kaydence’s photograph online, hoping that someone might have information on her last whereabouts.

“No family member has seen her since about 2016 or 2017, and we’re all concerned for where this little girl is,” a relative said.

“If they know of anything, (we’d ask them) to ring Crime Stoppers straight away or go to their local police station.

Police at the dig in the Chinchilla backyard last year.

“We just want to get out to the public that if they’ve seen anything, or anyone that lives in Chinchilla who might know something, to come forward.”

They described Kaydence as a beautiful little girl.

Police prosecutor senior constable Jodie Tahana today asked for a court date to be set for June in order for a full brief of evidence to be provided.

Defence lawyer Clare Graham acted on behalf of Desatge and as town agent for David Burns Lawyers on behalf of Dawita.

No application for bail was lodged.

Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000