Missing girl, 4, was DISSOLVED with corrosive chemicals by her parents before remains were dumped in creek, according to tearful cop who says they are unworthy of titles 'mom' and 'dad'

By JOE HUTCHISON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 17:50, 10 July 2026 | Updated: 17:51, 10 July 2026 A four-year-old girl was murdered by her own parents and dissolved using corrosive chemicals before being poured into a creek, police said. Javeayah Harris is believed to have been dead for a month before her parents Michilae Herring, 22, and Johnmarea Harris, 23, reported her missing on June 30.  The two told police that she was last seen at their home just outside of Aiken, South Carolina, before she vanished into thin air.  Police announced on Thursday that they now believed Herring and Harris killed the little girl, then used corrosive substances to dispose of her remains. In an emotional press conference, Aiken County Sheriff Office Marty Sawyer choked back tears as he revealed their findings.  He said: 'There are some harsh words that I'd like to use against Johmarea and Michilae and their actions.  'But I will not do that, I will not do that to protect and maintain the integrity of this case.  'I will tell you this, I will not refer to them as mom and dad or mother or father, they don't deserve that title.' Javeayah Harris, seen here, was dissolved and her remains poured into a creek by her parents, authorities have claimed Michilae Herring, left, and Johnmarea Harris, right, reported their daughter missing on June 30. Last weekend they were charged with her homicide by child abuse Sheriff Sawyer said the couple had taken 'extensive and deliberate efforts' and used 'corrosive chemicals and other tools' to 'accelerate the destruction of her little body'. He said that after they managed to do so, they poured her remains into Cedar Creek Reservoir, in Fairfield County.  The young girl's father is a keen fisherman according to his social media profile, sharing images as recent as late May fishing in a creek.  'They went through great lengths to cover their repulsive and revolting actions. In my 37-year career in law enforcement, I've never heard of anything so horrific. 'It is unlikely the entirety of her body will be recovered. We all hoped and prayed to find her body, that is simply not possible. 'I stand before you saying this is one of the most difficult, deeply disturbing, and emotionally taxing investigations this office has ever worked', he added. The two are already facing charges of homicide by child abuse, with Sawyer announcing an additional charge of destruction and desecration of human remains. According to court records the two were arrested last week over the death of their daughter.  Sheriff Sawyer said the couple had taken 'extensive and deliberate efforts' and used 'corrosive chemicals and other tools' to 'accelerate the destruction of her little body' Sheriff Marty Sawyer is seen here on Thursday during an emotional press conference were he announced the latest findings in the investigation The young girl's father is a keen fisherman according to his social media profile, sharing images as recent as late May fishing in a creek A warrant, released on Monday, claimed that Herring, seen here, confessed to abusing Javeayah and 'not seeking medical attention' for her The two were both denied bond after appearing in court last Sunday, with WRDW capturing the two appearing stony faced before Judge Ronald Thornton. According to the outlet, Herring had recently given birth to a newborn baby days before her arrest. The child is now in the custody of a family member.  If found guilty of the homicide charge alone, they face 20 years to life in prison. Michilae is also facing a charge relating to a false report to police, which carries up to five years.  Arrest warrants seen by WYFF4 said that the couple confessed to the abuse that resulted in their daughters death.  The warrants, released on Monday, claimed that Herring confessed to abusing Javeayah and 'not seeking medical attention' for her.  According to the warrants, her father knew about the abuse and 'manifesting an extreme indifference to human life which was obtained by physical abuse from the mother'.  One neighbor told the outlet: 'Any time I went to get her, she was in a room, on the floor; she was locked up, on a mattress, urinated all over it, she was dirty and unfed.'