DUNBAR, PENNSYLVANIA — What began as a missing-child investigation in September 2025 became a devastating criminal case after investigators discovered that 9-year-old Renesmay Eutsey had d*ed and that children inside the home may have known more about what happened.

Pennsylvania State Police were called to a home in Dunbar, Fayette County, on Sept. 3, 2025, after Renesmay was reported missing.

Her court-ordered custodian, Sarah Shipley, reportedly told investigators that Renesmay had been grounded the previous night following an argument with another child and had not been seen since approximately 2 a.m.

Police began searching for the girl.

According to testimony presented in court, however, investigators quickly identified inconsistencies in the adults’ accounts. Surveillance footage reportedly did not match portions of the story, and investigators began speaking with other children living in the home.

One child eventually approached a state trooper and apologized for not telling the truth earlier. According to testimony, she told investigators that Renesmay was “in heaven” and would not be coming back.

The child reportedly described hearing Renesmay screaming and crying and seeing Kourtney Eutsey and another adult yelling at her and kicking her.

Another account allegedly described Renesmay being placed inside a bag and discussions about taking her to a river.

Kourtney Eutsey, identified as Renesmay’s live-in caregiver, reportedly initially told investigators that the child had become ill, vomited and choked before d*ing.

Police say she later admitted that Renesmay’s body had been placed inside a bag and a tote before being transported away from the home.

Investigators were eventually led to the Youghiogheny River near Smithton, where Renesmay was found partially submerged. Court testimony indicated that her body was inside a garbage bag and that six large rocks had been placed inside with her.

The investigation then revealed additional concerns about the child’s condition.

Renesmay weighed approximately 45 pounds when she was recovered. In March 2026, the Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office determined that she ded from malnutrition and neglect, with blunt-force trauma to her head, neck, torso and extremities also contributing to her dath.

A forensic pathologist testified that the individual injuries may not have been fatal on their own but contributed to Renesmay d*ing sooner than she otherwise would have from malnutrition and neglect.

Investigators also became concerned about other children who had been living in the home. Several were removed, and authorities reported finding evidence of serious neglect and malnutrition involving at least some of them.

Questions have since emerged about how the alleged abuse and neglect went unnoticed.

The children were reportedly homeschooled, meaning they had less regular contact with teachers, counselors and other adults who might have noticed changes in their health or behavior.

Authorities have also charged additional women in connection with allegations that they failed to intervene. One was reportedly a mandated reporter.

Kourtney Eutsey and Sarah Shipley face criminal homicide charges along with allegations including aggravated ᴀssault, endangering the welfare of children, concealing the d*ath of a child, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse.

Both have pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the dath penalty if either woman is convicted of first-degree mrder. Their trials are expected to take place separately and are currently anticipated in 2027.

But amid the ongoing legal proceedings, Renesmay’s community has also chosen to remember her for more than the circumstances surrounding her d*ath.

One year after she d*ed, hundreds of people gathered in Dunbar as a local park she reportedly loved was renamed Renesmay’s Park.

The name offers a different image of the little girl: not the river, not the allegations, and not the courtroom—but a child with a place to play.

Renesmay was only 9 years old.

She deserved food, medical care, protection and the chance to grow up.

Now, a place where children can run and play carries her name.

🕯️ Renesmay Eutsey’s life mattered. Her name deserves to be remembered.