Two additional suspects have been charged in connection with the death of a 9-year-old girl whose body was discovered in a tote along a Pennsylvania river, expanding the scope of an investigation that has already resulted in murder charges against the child’s foster parents.
Theresa Marie Shipley, 63, the victim’s grandmother, and Sandra Lynn Umensetter, 51, a family friend, were arrested and arraigned on Tuesday. Both women face charges of endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. Shipley faces an additional charge for failing to report suspected child abuse as required by law.
The charges relate to the death of Renesmay Eutsey, who lived with foster parents Kourtney Eutsey, 31, and Sarah Shipley, 35, at their home in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Both foster parents have been charged with first-degree murder.
The case came to light on September 3, 2025, when Renesmay was reported missing, prompting Pennsylvania State Police to launch an immediate search. During the investigation at the family home, a young child approached officers and revealed disturbing details about what had happened to Renesmay.
The child told investigators they would never see their sister again because she was in heaven, and alleged that Kourtney Eutsey had killed Renesmay before placing her body in a tote. Another sibling reported overhearing Eutsey discussing with Sarah Shipley plans to take Renesmay to a distant river.
According to witness statements, the sibling only emerged from their room after hearing Renesmay screaming and crying. The child told investigators they witnessed the foster parents yelling at Renesmay and physically assaulting her, including kicking her in the stomach. The sibling described seeing the victim placed in a black garbage bag and then into a broken dark-grey tote.
Investigators subsequently located Renesmay’s body in a black bag inside a tote on the shore bank of the Youghiogheny River in Fayette County.
The Fayette County District Attorney’s Office received autopsy results on March 16, which determined that Renesmay died from malnourishment and neglect. Additional contributing factors included blunt force trauma to the head, neck, torso, and extremities. Prosecutors noted that the primary cause of death matched injuries sustained by another 7-year-old victim in the home who survived after hospitalization.
Cellphone records obtained during the investigation revealed that Theresa Shipley and Umensetter had been caring for Renesmay on numerous occasions in the months leading up to her death. Prosecutors stated that children in the home had been subjected to severe abuse and neglect over an extended period.
The district attorney’s office emphasized that the two newly charged suspects were present during times when the children were severely abused and supervised them, yet took no action to protect or help the victims.
Both Theresa Shipley and Umensetter were arrested and arraigned on Tuesday. They are scheduled to return to court for preliminary hearings on April 29. Kourtney Eutsey’s trial is set for May 4, while Sarah Shipley is scheduled for a hearing on June 11.
The investigation continues as authorities work to ensure justice for Renesmay and protection for other children who may have been affected by the alleged abuse in the household.
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