Queensland man convicted of torturing and killing stepdaughter Kaydence Mills

In March 2020, the body of three-year-old Kaydence Mills was discovered at Chinchilla Weir, approximately 300km west of Brisbane. Her mother, Sinitta Tammy Dawita, and her fiancé, Tane Saul Desatge, were charged with murder and torture. During the trial at the Toowoomba Supreme Court, it was revealed that Kaydence had suffered escalating violence, including being hit with a bamboo stick and forced to eat her own faeces. Family members testified about the visible bruises on her body prior to her death. Desatge claimed that Kaydence had fallen down the stairs, but the court found this explanation unconvincing. Justice Sean Cooper determined that Desatge had intentionally inflicted severe pain on Kaydence, leading to her death. He expressed disdain for the child, as evidenced by derogatory remarks made during a police-intercepted phone call. The couple attempted to conceal Kaydence's death by wrapping her body in garbage bags and initially hiding it in their backyard before moving it to the weir. Both Desatge and Dawita pleaded guilty to charges of interfering with a dead body. Dawita was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with eligibility for parole on September 23, while Desatge's sentencing was scheduled for a later date. The case has drawn attention to the issue of child abuse and the need for support services for affected individuals. This tragic incident highlights the severe consequences of domestic violence and the importance of safeguarding children. It serves as a reminder of the critical need for vigilance and intervention in cases of suspected abuse to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.