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. Desatge was found guilty of torturing and murdering Kaydence, while Dawita was acquitted of the charges. Justice Sean Cooper determined that Desatge had inflicted severe pain on Kaydence, ultimately leading to her death. He dismissed Desatge's claim that Kaydence had fallen down the stairs, instead highlighting the evidence of abuse and the couple's attempts to conceal her death. They wrapped her body in garbage bags and initially hid it in their backyard before moving it to the weir. The couple misled family members about Kaydence's whereabouts, claiming she had gone to live with an aunt. Both Desatge and Dawita pleaded guilty to charges of interfering with a dead body. Dawita received an 18-month prison sentence, with eligibility for parole on September 23, while Desatge's sentencing was scheduled for a later date. This tragic case underscores the severe consequences of domestic violence and child abuse, prompting discussions about the need for better protective measures for vulnerable children. Support services are available for those affected by similar situations, emphasizing the importance of reporting and addressing abuse.