A 9-year-old Pennsylvania girl went missing Wednesday and was later found dead, partially submerged in a river. Her foster mother is now facing serious charges, including murder.
Police said the body of Renesmay Eutsey was discovered in the Youghiogheny River near Smithton in Westmoreland County, about 20 miles from her home in Dunbar Borough, according to WPXI, WTAE, and CBS Pittsburgh.
Her foster mother, Kourtney Malinda Eutsey, 31, has been charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing the death of a child, the outlets reported.
Investigators said Renesmay was last seen at home around 2 a.m. Wednesday but wasn’t reported missing until 12:41 p.m. That morning, an electronic device believed to belong to her showed activity inside the house around 6 a.m., according to the reports.
Fayette County District Attorney Michael Aubele said there were signs of abuse, noting that Renesmay appeared malnourished and had bruises and burns. “It is very apparent that this girl suffered,” Aubele said, per the outlets.
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While police were preparing a search warrant at the home, a child told troopers she would “never going to see my baby sister again because she’s in Heaven,” according to CBS Pittsburgh, citing the criminal complaint.
Another child reported overhearing Kourtney Eutsey and another adult talking about taking Renesmay to a river “far, far away.” The witness said she later saw adults yelling at Renesmay, one kicking her in the stomach, and then being punched herself when she tried to intervene. According to the complaint, the witness later saw Renesmay in a bag, with her lips white and her body appearing lifeless.
When questioned, Kourtney Eutsey told officers Renesmay had choked after vomiting and that she tried to clear her airway but the girl died. Eutsey admitted she put the body in a bag, drove to the river, and left it along the shore, per CBS.
Officials said Renesmay weighed only 45 pounds and had injuries consistent with abuse and neglect, including possible cigarette burns. Aubele said additional charges are likely as the investigation continues.
According to CBS Pittsburgh, Renesmay lived with her foster mother and another woman who has not been charged. Three other children were removed from the home.
Eutsey is being held without bail at the Fayette County Prison. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause and manner of Renesmay’s death, the outlets reported.
