California Mom Says She Woke Up to Find 7-Year-Old Daughter “Stiff Cold” After Alleged Abuse by Her and Boyfriend, Police Say

CALIFORNIA — A Northern California mother and her boyfriend are both facing murder and felony child abuse charges after police say a 7-year-old girl was found unresponsive and later died, while her 5-year-old sister was discovered injured inside the same home.

Jessica Savangsy, 26, told investigators she woke up Monday morning to find her daughter, Adalynn, unresponsive in their Roseville home.

“I woke up around 7 and she was just stiff cold,” Savangsy said in a jailhouse interview with local television. “I started crying and I just grabbed her. I was just like, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry.’”

Emergency Call Leads to Discovery of Multiple Injured Children

Officers with the Roseville Police Department responded around 7:37 a.m. after receiving a medical aid call for an unresponsive child.

Inside the home, officers located Adalynn and rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

During a sweep of the residence, officers also found Adalynn’s 5-year-old sister in a bedroom with visible injuries. She was transported to the hospital for treatment and is expected to survive.

Two additional children were found asleep in the home and were not injured.

Parents Give Conflicting Accounts

Savangsy has accused her boyfriend, Retuquel Dupree, of abusing both girls, alleging he beat them repeatedly.

Dupree has denied all allegations and claimed Savangsy was responsible for the abuse.

“I never abused those kids,” Dupree said in a separate jailhouse interview. “I would never hurt a kid.”

Dupree told investigators he was asleep when Savangsy discovered Adalynn and claimed he was not home the previous day when injuries may have occurred.

Savangsy, meanwhile, acknowledged responsibility and said both adults should be held accountable.

“The best way I can bring justice to my daughters is I do the time and Dupree does the time,” she said.

Former Officer Now Facing Murder Charges

Dupree is a former police officer who was terminated from the Citrus Heights Police Department in 2021. The department has not publicly disclosed the reason for his dismissal. Dupree later filed a civil lawsuit alleging racial discrimination, which remains pending.

Both Savangsy and Dupree have now been charged with murder, conspiracy, and felony child abuse. Authorities have indicated that torture charges are also expected due to the severity and duration of the alleged abuse.

Investigation Ongoing

Investigators have not yet released details regarding the cause of death or the specific injuries sustained by the children, citing the ongoing investigation.

Both suspects remain in custody as prosecutors prepare to move forward with additional charges.