Pennsylvania State Police confirmed that the body of 9-year-old Renesmay Eutsey was found Thursday in the Youghiogheny River in the southwest part of the state. The girl had been reported missing on September 3 after an alert detailed that the child could be at risk.

According to an affidavit, Kourtney Eutsey, the victim's adoptive mother, told investigators that the girl suffered an untreated burn injury days before she died. On September 2, when she began vomiting and choking, the woman said she tried to perform CPR for half an hour, but did not call 911 for fear of getting in trouble.

The defendant admitted to placing the girl's body in a black bag and then in a large tote bag and driving it to Perryopolis, where she abandoned it on the riverbank. She later gave police the exact location where it was found, according to WTAE, the ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh.

The investigation took a turn after testimony from other children who lived at the home. One reported hearing plans to take the victim “to a very far river,” while another claimed to have witnessed physical abuse toward the girl.

Charges and Legal Process

Kourtney Eutsey faces a total of eight charges, including criminal homicide, child endangerment, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and two counts of aggravated assault.

The Fayette County District Attorney’s Office praised the coordinated effort of law enforcement agencies involved in the search for and discovery of the girl.