UPDATE: The foster mother of 9-year-old Renesmay Eutsey has been charged with criminal homicide following the discovery of the girl’s body in the Youghiogheny River in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Authorities found Renesmay’s remains, which appeared burned and malnourished, last week—just days after she was reported missing.
Renesmay was last seen at her home around 2:00 AM on July 12, 2023, but her foster mother, Kourtney Malinda Eutsey, 31, did not report her missing until after 12:41 PM. The police discovered her body approximately 20 miles from her residence in Dunbar Borough. Local officials are calling this a grave case of abuse.
Fayette County District Attorney Michael Aubele confirmed multiple charges against Eutsey, including aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children. A second woman, Eutsey’s wife Sarah Shipley, has also been charged with criminal homicide and conspiracy in the case. Aubele stated, “It is very apparent that this girl suffered.”
According to reports, police pinged a device believed to belong to Renesmay around 6:00 AM on the day she went missing. When questioned, Eutsey claimed that Renesmay had vomited and choked, but she did not call for help out of fear. Disturbingly, she allegedly admitted to placing the girl’s body in a bag and discarding it by the riverbank.
A child approached police during the investigation, reportedly stating, “I’m never going to see my baby sister again because she’s in Heaven.” This reveals the deep emotional turmoil surrounding the case.
As the investigation unfolds, additional charges are anticipated against Eutsey and Shipley related to the care of another child: a six-year-old boy who is currently recovering in the hospital, having shown signs of severe malnourishment and abuse. Christina Benedetto, the boy’s mother, confirmed he remains in stable condition but is receiving urgent medical attention.
A release from the District Attorney’s office noted that the boy was one of four children removed from Eutsey’s home last week due to serious concerns of abuse and neglect. The children were evaluated at a local children’s hospital, where alarming evidence of maltreatment was uncovered.
This tragic situation has sparked outrage in the community as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the allegations against Eutsey and Shipley. The case highlights the pressing need for vigilance in child welfare and the protection of vulnerable minors.
Local news outlets continue to follow the story closely, with updates expected as new information emerges. The community is left grappling with the heartbreaking loss of a young life, and the search for justice for Renesmay Eutsey has only just begun.
Stay tuned for further developments as this story evolves.