Bond set at $1 million for couple charged with murder of 4-year-old girl

BULLITT COUNTY, Ky. — Catherine "Abby" McKinney and her boyfriend Dakota Hill made their first court appearance via video conference in Bullitt County Wednesday. McKinney and Hill are both facing charges in connection with the death of four-year-old Serenity McKinney.

McKinney, Serenity's mother, and Hill plead not guilty to murder and abuse of a corpse.

During their arraignment, the judge declared both McKinney and Hill a danger to others and ordered them not to be in contact with one another. Their bond was set at $1 million each.

RELATED: Serenity McKinney case: What we know about the missing Kentucky 4-year-old found dead

Abby McKinney’s representation argued for a lower bail due to her being seven months pregnant, low risk and not having a record prior to the investigation. The request for a surety bond of $20,000 was denied.

McKinney and Hill were initially arrested in Kansas on charges of custodial interference in February.

On Feb. 18, Serenity's body was found in a wooded area near the Jefferson/ Bullitt County Line. Her cause of death has not been released.

Both McKinney and Hill are expected back in court on March 10 in Bullitt County.

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• 'We know you're home': Serenity McKinney's father says he won't feel closure until everyone is held accountable in her death
• 'It's gut-wrenchingly sad': Body of 4-year-old Serenity McKinney found in Kentucky, more than year after she was last seen alive

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