The biological mother of 9-year-old Renesmay Eutsey, whose body was discovered along the Yough River on Thursday, is demanding justice for her daughter’s death. Renesmay was reported missing on Wednesday afternoon, and her body was later found in a tote bag along the riverbank.
Renesmay had been in the care of her foster mother, Kourtney Eutsey, since 2019. Eutsey, a blood relative of Renesmay, is now facing charges, including homicide and abuse of a corpse. According to Renesmay’s biological mother, Christina Benedetto, Eutsey was also responsible for caring for Benedetto’s other children, ages 7, 4, and 2.
“Why put her in a tote, in a garbage bag, and throw her away like she didn’t mean anything? She meant something, at least to us. She meant everything to us,” Benedetto said, fighting for her daughter’s justice, according to the local CBS affiliate KDKA.
Police reports reveal that Eutsey admitted to putting Renesmay’s body in a black bag, then into a tote, before driving to the river and dumping it. Benedetto expressed her heartbreak, saying, “She did not deserve the abuse, the malnourishment or any of it. She didn’t deserve to be thrown away like she was garbage.”
During the search for Renesmay, Eutsey posted a photo of the girl on Facebook, asking for help in locating her. “Please help us find our little girl and bring her home,” she wrote, despite allegedly being involved in her death. Benedetto responded angrily, stating, “They will regret putting a hand on my child when they were supposed to protect them.”
Police say that Eutsey claimed Renesmay had burned herself a week prior and needed medical attention, but Eutsey refused to take her for treatment. On Tuesday night, Eutsey reported Renesmay vomiting and allegedly choking, but despite attempts at CPR, the child died. Eutsey claimed she didn’t call 911 because she was afraid to reveal Renesmay’s malnutrition.
Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele confirmed that Renesmay weighed only 45 pounds and showed clear signs of abuse. Additionally, a child from the household reported overhearing Eutsey and another woman discussing taking Renesmay to a river and seeing them abuse the girl.
“This is what broke me the most. My baby didn’t deserve that. She was innocent. She still had her whole life ahead of her,” Benedetto said.
While Eutsey faces charges of criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence, more charges are expected. Benedetto, heartbroken, declared, “Where is Renesmay’s justice? They both are guilty.”
Benedetto’s three other children have been removed from the home and placed with another relative. Fayette County Child Youth Services, when contacted, stated they are following all child protection laws but declined further comment.