Kynande Bennett was four years old when she vanished from Conway, South Carolina; the disappearance was officially reported on September 29, 2002. Her mother, Vartasha McCullough, initially said Kynande disappeared in an aisle of a K‑Mart while they were visiting relatives in Whiteville, North Carolina, then changed her account to say she thought Kynande was following her into the store and turned to find her gone. Store surveillance and witness interviews turned up no sign that Kynande had been at the K‑Mart that day.

Investigators shifted attention to Kynande’s home in Conway after relatives reported concerns about possible abuse. Witnesses said the child had bruises and cuts and that she had told someone her mommy did it. Authorities reported parents showed little cooperation and discarded many of Kynande’s toys and clothing; an apartment search later found transfer stains that DNA testing matched to Kynande, suggesting a violent assault occurred there.

In February 2003 both parents were arrested and charged with homicide by child abuse. The little girl’s body has not been recovered.