Grandmother and friend charged in girl's abuse and neglect death

Authorities in Pennsylvania have charged a grandmother and a family friend in connection with the severe abuse and death of 9-year-old Renesmay Eutsey. The girl, who lived with foster parents charged with her murder, died from malnourishment, neglect, and blunt force trauma. The new charges stem from their failure to intervene during ongoing abuse.

Renesmay Eutsey was reported missing from her home in Fayette County on September 3, 2025. Pennsylvania State Police searched the residence, where a young sibling approached officers and apologized for not telling the truth earlier. The child said, 'I'm never going to see my baby sister again because she's in heaven,' alleging that foster parent Kourtney Eutsey killed Renesmay and placed her body in a tote. The sibling described overhearing plans to take the body to a river 'far, far away' and witnessing Eutsey and Sarah Shipley yelling at and kicking the victim in the stomach before placing her in a black garbage bag inside a broken dark-grey tote. Officers later found the body on the shore bank of the Youghiogheny River in Fayette County. The Fayette County District Attorney's Office announced on April 22 that an autopsy conducted on March 16 confirmed Renesmay's death by malnourishment and neglect, with additional blunt force trauma to her head, neck, torso, and extremities. Prosecutors noted the injuries matched those of a 7-year-old sibling who survived hospitalization. Theresa Marie Shipley, 63, Renesmay's grandmother, and Sandra Lynn Umensetter, 51, a family friend, now face charges of endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. Shipley also faces charges for failing to report suspected child abuse. Cellphone records show they supervised the children on numerous occasions during months of severe abuse and did nothing to help, according to the DA's office. Kourtney Eutsey, 31, and Sarah Shipley, 35, Renesmay's foster parents, remain charged with first-degree murder. Shipley and Umensetter were arrested and arraigned on April 22, with preliminary hearings set for April 29. Kourtney Eutsey's trial is scheduled for May 4, and Sarah Shipley's hearing for June 11.

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