Mark Bridger, the man accused of murdering five-year-old April Jones, has been remanded in custody until January 11.
Bridger, 46, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court via video link from prison in Manchester.
Sitting in front of a green curtain Bridger, who was unshaven and wore a black sweatshirt, seemed calm and listened closely to what was happening in court.
On Saturday, he was charged with the murder and abduction of April along with attempting to pervert the course of justice by the disposal or concealment of a body.
He will now face a plea and case management hearing back at Caernarfon Crown Court in January.
One of the most senior judges in Wales, Mr Justice Griffith-Williams, said he would oversee future hearings in the case.
April was last seen near her home on the Bryn-y-Gog estate in Machynlleth last Monday evening.
The search for the missing youngster is continuing in the mid Wales town.
On Tuesday police dog teams worked in rural outlying areas while marine units searched in the estuary of the River Dyfi.
There are now 135 police officers along with an RAF helicopter and a team of HM Coastguard searchers working on the case.
