Authorities in California have charged Riley Royal, 28, and Amanda Royal, 24, with murder following the discovery of their 2-year-old daughter’s body buried near a campground in Shasta County. The arrest, announced by the Shasta County Sheriff’s Department, comes after an investigation that began in January.
The case unfolded on January 7 when deputies visited the couple’s home in Redding for a welfare check on the young child. When officers arrived, the couple allegedly hid inside, attempting to evade contact. According to a statement from the sheriff’s department, Riley and Amanda eventually came out but continued to evade questions. During the interview, they admitted that their daughter was deceased and had been “unlawfully buried,” as per police records, reported by KPLC.
Further investigation led authorities to believe that the child had endured physical abuse before her death, which reportedly occurred in October 2023. Her body was found in a remote area near the Whiskeytown Recreation Area, outside Redding. The child’s remains were exhumed the day after the welfare check, confirming suspicions of a homicide.
In addition to their 2-year-old daughter, another child was found at the couple’s residence during the welfare check. The second child, whose age remains undisclosed, was taken into the custody of the local children’s services agency for safety.
Both Riley and Amanda Royal face murder charges with special allegations, along with charges of child abuse resulting in death. They are being held in Shasta County Jail without bail as they await further legal proceedings. Online court records have yet to show any plea from the couple, and their attorneys have not provided a comment on the case.