SACRAMENTO, CA – The parents of a two-year-old girl found dead and buried in the vast expanse of California’s Whiskeytown National Recreation Area have been charged with her murder over a year after her death. Riley Royal, 28, and Amanda Royal, 24, are accused of fatally beating the toddler and attempting to conceal the crime, according to authorities.

The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office detailed the grim discovery following a welfare check conducted on January 7, 2024, at the family’s residence in Redding, roughly 150 miles northwest of Sacramento. Efforts to reach anyone at the home were initially unsuccessful, but law enforcement officers eventually contacted the parents, Riley and Amanda Royal, via phone.

Despite claiming they were not at home, the Royals were found hiding inside the house in an attempt to evade law enforcement, prosecutors revealed in a statement. Once inside, deputies found that the young girl was missing, prompting an inquiry into her whereabouts.

The investigation revealed the child had died three months prior, in October 2023, and had been buried illegally near the Whiskeytown Recreation Area. The Shasta County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit took charge of the case, while an additional minor present in the home was placed under protective custody.

On January 8, 2024, detectives and forensic experts exhumed the child’s body, confirming through medical examinations that the cause of death was homicide due to physical abuse. This led to the issuing and execution of an arrest warrant for both parents on October 29, 2024.

The Royals were scheduled for a court appearance shortly after their arrest; however, the proceedings have been postponed to a later date. Amanda Royal’s attorney, Benjamin Magid, urged the public to withhold judgment until all evidence has been presented, emphasizing her intention to plead not guilty.

Magid commented on the media coverage and public perception, stating, “The community doesn’t really know the full story yet. It’s important to reserve judgment until all the facts come to light.”

The Royals remain in custody at the Shasta County Jail without an option for bail, as local residents grapple with the unsettling details of the case. Longtime community member Coleen Shreck expressed disbelief upon hearing of the arrests, emphasizing the shock felt by neighbors.

Authorities continue to probe the Royal case with a focus on the circumstances surrounding the child’s death and are soliciting any information that could further aid their investigation. The Shasta County Major Crimes Unit has invited anyone with relevant insights to come forward.