A tragic end to the search for a missing 9-year-old Fayette County girl came early yesterday as authorities discovered Renesmay Eutsey deceased, partially submerged in the Youghiogheny River near Smithton, confirmed by Pennsylvania State Police. In a turn of events, the girl's adoptive mother, 31-year-old Kourtney Malinda Eutsey, has been charged with criminal homicide in connection with the death, according to WPXI.
Prior to this grim discovery, an active search for the missing child had been underway since she was reported missing on Wednesday after last being seen in the area of the 100 block of 3rd Street in Dunbar Borough. Initial reports by officials indicated the discrepancy in the timeline provided by the foster mother, who reported Renesmay missing nearly seven hours after her disappearance, and the sergeant with state police noted that she was last in the area around 6 a.m., caught by an electronic device within the residence, as per WTAE.
Fayette County District Attorney Michael Aubele, in a statement obtained by WPXI, expressed his frustration over the misinformation initially provided, saying, "It is very frustrating. We had a lot of search teams out. We had a lot of people looking for this girl. A lot of false hope." While the exact cause of Renesmay's death has not been disclosed, Aubele did indicate signs of abuse on her body, including malnourishment and injuries consistent with burns and bruises.
