The parents of a 2-year-old girl were arrested in late October after officers determined the child had died a year ago and was "unlawfully buried" in Northern California. According to the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, deputies went to a home in the community of Pacheco, southeast of Redding, on January 7, 2024, for a welfare check of the 2-year-old girl. The parents of the child were contacted by phone and allegedly told deputies that they were not in the residence, but they were ultimately found inside. The parents, Riley Royal, 28, and Amanda Royal, 24, told deputies that the child had passed away several months prior and that she had been "unlawfully buried," the sheriff's office said. 4 German Shepherd puppies shot after owner incarcerated in Northern California, sheriff says Deputies also found another child in the residence and took them to Shasta County Children's Services. Detectives eventually determined from the parents that the 2-year-old girl had been physically abused and died in October of 2023 before being buried near the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, west of Redding, the sheriff's office said. After the child's body was exhumed on January 8, an autopsy and medical tests later led officials to determine the cause of death as a homicide. Armed robber strikes taco shop employee with gun during theft in Sacramento An arrest warrant was issued and both parents were detained on October 29 on charges of murder with special allegations and child abuse resulting in death, the sheriff's office said. Both were taken to the Shasta County Jail, where they remain with no bail. Sheriff's officials ask anyone with information about the case to call 530-245-6135 or email [email protected].