A Pennsylvania foster mother is facing many criminal charges after authorities say she disposed of a 9-year-old girl’s body in a tote bag near the Youghiogheny River. Renesmay Eutsey had been with the foster mother since 2019.
Kourtney Eutsey, 31, the foster mother, has been charged with homicide, abuse of a body, and endangering the welfare of a child, according to a criminal complaint received Thursday. Police said the alleged disposal was done “like she was garbage,” which shocked both the family and the local community.
Alleged Discovery and Missing Child Report
Renesmay was reported missing on Wednesday, prompting the Pennsylvania State Police to begin a search. Eutsey, a family relative of Renesmay, was also caring for her children—ages 7, 4, and 2—when the incident occurred.
While officers were about to examine Eutsey’s home, a tiny child approached them and apologized for not telling the truth about what had happened to Renesmay. The child allegedly said,
“I’m never going to see my baby sister again because she’s in heaven.”
The child claimed that Eutsey murdered Renesmay and disposed of her body in a tote bag on the riverbed.
Alleged Abuse and Disposal of the Child
According to the affidavit, Eutsey and another adult began yelling at Renesmay and reportedly kicked her in the stomach. A sibling allegedly overheard conversations about bringing Renesmee to a river “far, far away.”
According to officials, Renesmay weighed just 45 pounds when she was discovered on Thursday, and her body displayed symptoms of abuse and neglect, including cigarette burns that may have become infected without medical attention.
According to the affidavit, Eutsey admitted she was afraid to call 911 because she was concerned about the child’s injuries and appearance. She allegedly placed Renesmee in a black bag, which was then placed inside a tote, carried it to her vehicle, a dark blue Kia Sorento with Pennsylvania registration MSD3655, and drove to an isolated location along the river. The child’s body was allegedly dumped near the shoreline.
Investigation and Family Statements
Christina Benedetto, Renesmay’s biological mother, expressed grief over the reported occurrence.
“Why put her in a tote, in a garbage bag, and throw her away like she didn’t mean anything? She meant everything to us.”
The authorities have seized Eutsey’s three biological children from her home. They are currently under the care of a different relative.
Police are still investigating the specific circumstances of Renesmay’s death, and the cause of death has not been released by local authority.