The custodial guardian of a 9-year-old Pennsylvania girl allegedly overdosed on Friday, a day after the girl’s body was recovered from a river.
District Attorney Michael Aubele informed WTAE that Renesmay Eutsey’s custodial parent survived an overdose at their Dunbar Township home where the child disappeared on Thursday. This parent and Kourtney Eutsey, 31, reported the child missing before Kourtney Eutsey reportedly took officers 20 miles to where the child’s body was found in the Youghiogheny River.
It’s important to highlight that Renesmay Eutsey’s legal guardian has not faced any criminal charges regarding her disappearance and passing. Nonetheless, Aubele indicated that further charges are anticipated as they suspect the child was frequently subject to abuse.
Aubele previously mentioned that the woman, whom Crime Online is withholding the name of since she hasn’t been charged, was Renesmay Eutsey’s court-appointed guardian and had a relationship with Kourtney Eutsey.
“Kourtney Eutsey served as the live-in caregiver… [She] had adopted at least one other child residing in the household. [Eutsey and the guardian] had a relationship where the children referred to Kourtney Eutsey as Mom and Sarah Shipley as Dad,” the prosecutor elaborated.
Reports suggest that Kourtney Eutsey directed police to her adoptive daughter’s body after some children in the home claimed they saw her kill Renesmay. One girl reportedly told officers she overheard Kourtney and another adult discuss taking Renesmay to a river “far, far away.” She recounted hearing the child’s cries followed by Kourtney and the other adult yelling at her and kicking her in the stomach.
Renesmay Eutsey allegedly weighed 45 pounds and bore evidence of abuse or neglect. Her injuries, such as cigarette burns, matched descriptions of the events that occurred at home, according to Aubele.
Kourtney Eutsey was charged with homicide, abuse of a corpse, endangering the welfare of children, aggravated assault, tampering with evidence, and concealing the death of a child.
Aubele said the other three children were removed from the home amid the ongoing criminal investigation.
[Feature Photo: Pennsylvania State Police]
