Prosecutors in Pennsylvania announced they intend to seek the death penalty for two women accused of a horrific crime: killing a 9-year-old girl under their care, stuffing her body into a tote bag, and discarding it along a riverbank.
WARNING: The details in this news report are disturbing.
Kourtney Eutsey, 31, and Sarah Shipley, 35, are both facing first-degree murder charges in the death of Renesmay Eutsey. The Fayette County District Attorney’s Office stated that due to “aggravated circumstances” surrounding the case, both women will face capital punishment if convicted.
The investigation began on September 3 when Renesmay was reported missing. The search ended tragically the following day when Pennsylvania State Police discovered the child’s body inside a bag on the shores of the Youghiogheny River.
According to court documents, the breakthrough in the investigation came from a chilling witness account provided by another child in the home. As officers prepared to search Kourtney Eutsey’s residence, a young sibling reportedly approached them and “apologized for not telling the truth.”
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WTAE reported that he child told police, “I’m never going to see my baby sister again because she’s in heaven,” before describing how Eutsey killed Renesmay and placed her in the tote. The affidavit states the sibling heard Renesmay screaming and crying, and witnessed the two women yelling at the victim while kicking her in the stomach.
Investigators uncovered a disturbing history of alleged abuse within the home. When found, Renesmay weighed just 45 pounds. Authorities noted her body showed signs of severe neglect, including cigarette burns—one of which appeared infected—that had never been treated medically.
The abuse reportedly extended to other children living in the house. A doctor examining the surviving children discovered two of them were missing teeth, allegedly caused by Shipley pulling them out with pliers. Despite being homeschooled, an 11-year-old girl in the home did not know how to read, and a 6-year-old boy was found to be chronically malnourished and dehydrated.
Kourtney Eutsey was identified as a blood relative, legal guardian, and foster mother to Renesmay, while Shipley was also a legal guardian.
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