A couple accused of sending their young daughters to Africa for genital mutilation procedures have walked out of a Queensland court with their children.
The man, 53, and woman, 41, from Underwood, who can't be named for legal reasons, appeared briefly in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Wednesday on charges of removing a child from the state for female genital mutilation.
Their two daughters, aged nine and 12, and a son watched on from the public gallery during the short court mention.
Magistrate Paul Johnstone adjourned the matter for a committal mention on March 16.
He also ordered a brief of evidence be provided to the defence by March 2.
No details about the alleged offences were heard in court.
Neither the couple, who left with the court with their children, nor their lawyer, Frank Brewer, spoke to media afterwards.
The Logan District Child Protection and Investigation Unit conducted a joint investigation with other agencies after allegations surfaced that the girls were taken to Africa for the procedures in April this year.
