Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for two women suspected of killing a 9-year-old child in their care, placing her body in a “tote” bag, and dumping it in a river.
Kourtney Eutsey, 31, and Sarah Shipley, 35, have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Renesmay Eutsey.
The Fayette County District Attorney’s Office in Pennsylvania revealed that because it filed notices of aggravated circumstances against the two women, they face the death penalty if convicted of murder.
Renesmay was reported missing on September 3, causing Pennsylvania State Police to conduct a search. Investigators discovered the child’s remains in a bag on the “shore bank” of the Youghiogheny River in Fayette County, as Law&Crime previously reported.
Kourtney Eutsey is characterized as the girl’s blood relative, legal guardian, and foster mother, and she was also caring for her own small children when Renesmay died. Shipley also served as the victim’s legal guardian.
As investigators were about to search Eutsey’s home for any indications of Renesmay, a little child allegedly approached them and “apologized for not telling the truth” about what had happened to Renesmay, according to an affidavit acquired by Law&Crime.
“I’m never going to see my baby sister again because she’s in heaven,” the youngster told officers, claiming that Kourtney Eutsey murdered Renesmay and then placed her body in a tote, according to the affidavit.
The sibling claimed to have “overheard” Kourtney Eutsey discussing with another adult, later identified as Shipley, about transporting Renesmay to a “far, far away” river.
The lawsuit continues with the following: “[The child] stated that the only reason she came out of the room she was in was because she heard the victim screaming and crying and thought she needed help with something.”
According to the affidavit, Eutsey and Shipley yelled at the victim and kicked her in the stomach. The sibling allegedly informed investigators, “[Renesmay] is now deceased. I’m never going to see her again. I miss her. She’s probably still alive. “She might be alive.”
Renesmay weighed only 45 pounds when cops discovered her on September 4, according to investigators.
The deceased child’s body revealed evidence of abuse and neglect, as well as cigarette burns, one of which “might have become infected,” despite the fact that the youngster reportedly received no medical attention.
The ladies are also accused of abusing other youngsters in the house, in what law enforcement describes as torture.
Two of the toddlers had missing teeth, which a doctor stated were the result of teeth being extracted with pliers. The children informed the doctor that Shipley had extracted their teeth, according to local ABC affiliate WTAE.
The children were homeschooled, but an 11-year-old girl residing at the women’s home couldn’t read, according to investigators. A 6-year-old youngster was apparently chronically malnourished and dehydrated when physicians examined him.
According to authorities, the other children in the home at the time the suspects were detained have been placed in the care of another family member.
The defendants’ claimed conduct confounded Renesmay’s biological mother.
“Why put her in a tote, in a garbage bag, and throw her away like she didn’t mean anything?” remarked Christina Benedetto during an interview with local CBS affiliate KDKA. “She meant something, at least to us,” Benedetto explained. “She meant everything to us.”
