Missing Chinchilla toddler Kaydence Hazel Mills: Two years on here’s what we know

Two years since a toddler’s tortured body was found at the Chinchilla Weir, here’s what we know so far about the investigation into Kaydence Mills’ death.

REST IN PEACE: Kaydence Hazel Mills was laid to rest in Tully on September 4, 2020.

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned the following article contains images of the deceased.

More than two years since forever two-year-old Kaydence Hazel Mills’ fragile body was found discarded in a black garbage bag and dumped in a shallow grave, those charged with her murder are still going through magistrates court.

MISSING TODDLER: Kaydence Dawita Mills was born at the Cairns Hospital on August 14, she would have turned 7 in 2021.

After pulling the missing toddler’s body from the earth at the Chinchilla Weir on March 2, 2020, police arrested Kaydence’s mother Sinitta Tammy Dawita, and her partner Tane Saul Destage.

While court proceedings slowly play out in the Dalby Magistrates Court, the pair remain in custody on charges of murder, torture, and interfering with a body.

The first inkling of the tragedy first came to light on December 3, 2019, when detectives began excavating a Burbank St backyard in search of the little girl the community didn’t even know was missing.

At the time of the backyard dig, police continually said they would not comment on what was happening, as it involved a “child protection matter”.

BACK YARD DIG: Investigators excavating the back yard of the Burbank St Address in Chinchilla. Picture: Peta McEachern

The investigation into Kaydence’s disappearance began when concerns were raised for the toddler’s welfare in 2019 - an incredible three years after she went missing.
As Kaydence was a child who spent time with Child Safety shortly before moving to Chinchilla from far North Queensland, Kaydence’s father Robert Mills said the system failed her grossly.

REST IN PEACE: Robert Mills laid his daughter to rest in Tully on September 4, 2020.

The accused pair’s first court appearance was on March 2, where police prosecutor Jodie Tahana ordered a full brief of evidence to be provided by June 2019.

At the Dalby Magistrates Court on November 10, 2020, solicitor Claire Graham appeared for Desatge and Dawita, saying she had recently been made aware of a “huge” brief of evidence.

Ms Graham told the court she would need time to consider the material, which could fill three to four 60-litre tubs.

GONE TOO SOON: Kaydence Mills hadn’t been seen by family since 2017, detectives began excavating the backyard in 2019 in search of a little girl no one knew was missing.

Magistrate Tracy Mossop set a date in late January 2021 to allow counsel time to review the brief.

As of June 2021, police prosecutor Derek Brady told the court police were waiting on Kaydence’s autopsy video footage to be provided.

During an earlier court appearance on March 18, 2021, Ms Graham told the court Dawita had undergone psychiatric assessment, and a doctor had prepared a report for the defence.

ACCUSED: Sinitta Tammy Dawita and Tane Saul Desatge both stand charged with murder, torture and corpse interference after police allege they killed Dawita’s daughter Kaydence Mills.

The case is next due to be mentioned in Dalby Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August 3 for a committal mention.

Originally published as Missing Chinchilla toddler Kaydence Hazel Mills: Two years on here’s what we know